In my opinion, the case is an attractive piece of work. Thus far, there has not been (to my satisfaction) a definitive answer as to whether the markings in the case are real, or fake. But I would wonder why an artist who could produce that case, would find it necessary to falsify the stampings! Just wondering. If there is never a final answer, it is still a very attractive watch.
So I’ve reached out to a local pocket watch appraiser and will be getting a second opinion. Very curious to hear his POV on the collection and in particular, the Charles Taylor & Son piece. I’ll post images of the entire collection later this week with more info on each one. As a side note, it’s been fun going through the collection and learning more about our family’s heirlooms!
I’ll update the thread once I get the appraiser’s opinion. Thanks for everyone’s help and continued interest!
Hi Phil
I don't doubt that the watch is a beautiful heirloom piece and is probably worth the money stated. However, did your appraiser tell you what the hall marks mean?
Geoff
His description was that the marks aligned with the time period of the watch. I brought up all the feedback from the forum, but it didn’t change his opinion that it was an original authentic case / watch.
I’d like to get another pocket watch appraiser to take a look at it down the road, now that it’s a 50/50 split on whether the case is real or not...
Given the doubt as to the hallmarks, I suggest that you have the case tested. A good - and I mean good - jeweller will have the equipment. There are non-invasive methods.
It's the difference between an $80 watch and an $800 watch.
That’s interesting, because outside of a visual inspection... what are my options? When you say case tested, what is the process?
The decoration on the case back may be partly die struck, but there will be a few areas wher the decoration has been applied by hand engraving. Hand engraving differs from machine engraving in that surface metal is actually cut away by hard, sharp steel engraving tools manipulated by hand. If an item is gold filled, very often the graver will cut through the surface layer of gold to expose base metal. A tiny bead of nitric acid in a deep spot in the pattern which may already have turned black (oxidized) might react to the nitric acid. Another method that is used is called a “streak” test in which test needles of varying karat alloys are rubbed onto an abrasive Arkansas stone, then the item on test is abraded next to the test needles, and a drop of nitric acid is daubed onto all the test streaks. The base metal in the streaks vaporizes, leaving only the gold. The colour of the several streaks on the stone will vary, depending on the gold content remaining on the stone. This test is no good for heavy gold filled because you KNOW the surface is gold, but you want to know whether there is base metal beneath the gold.
Might fake marks have been applied to real gold? For the sake of avoiding tariffs, or guild restrictions.
I really think that applying an 18 karat stamp inside the case back would not be a useful tactic if one were trying to avoid the tariffs on a karat gold article. I’m not sure of the point you are trying to make.
