Looking for information about this pocket watch

Posts

3,282

Likes

7,766

bgrisso

·Feb 9, 2025

Hi everyone,
My dad’s friend was asking me if I could help him with info on this PW, but I don’t really know anything about pocket watches. I told him the big question in terms of value is if it’s solid gold or not, which I can’t tell. I’m not seeing obvious hallmarks. One of the shots of the edge show possible wear suggesting maybe it’s plated? Also side shot shows possible hallmarks that have worn down? Or are those just dents?
Anyhow, info appreciated that I can pass along.
Thx

 

Posts

17,687

Likes

26,778

Foo2rama

·Feb 9, 2025·Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.

Pro tip.

Movement shots are the most important thing to post if asking about a pocket watch. Nothing else matters as much as the movement.

 

Posts

3,282

Likes

7,766

bgrisso

·Feb 9, 2025

Foo2rama

Pro tip.

Movement shots are the most important thing to post if asking about a pocket watch. Nothing else matters as much as the movement.

Excuse my ignorance, but I didn’t see how to expose the movement. I should be able to do this without tools?

 

Posts

17,687

Likes

26,778

Foo2rama

·Feb 9, 2025·Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.

bgrisso

Excuse my ignorance, but I didn’t see how to expose the movement. I should be able to do this without tools?

Its underneath the dust cover opposite the dial it should be somewhat easy to access.

 

Posts

3,282

Likes

7,766

bgrisso

·Feb 9, 2025

Foo2rama

Its underneath the dust cover opposite the dial it should be somewhat easy to access.

Thx, got it

 

Posts

17,687

Likes

26,778

Foo2rama

·Feb 9, 2025·Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.

Now the experts should come out of the woodwork.

But it’s a decorated low mid grade movement by my eyes.

 

Posts

3,282

Likes

7,766

bgrisso

·Feb 9, 2025

Foo2rama

Now the experts should come out of the woodwork.

But it’s a decorated low mid grade movement by my eyes.

Thx. Am I correct to assume this is not a solid case?

 

Posts

3,865

Likes

37,194

ghce

·Feb 9, 2025

Its "gold filled" as indicated by the warranted for 25 years.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/7495818

This site will tell you all you want to know including the watch case manufacturer and movement.

It may be a "mid grade " movement however it is an " Adjusted " movement and could have possibly been used in Rail Road Service as it predates the RR service rules that came into effect later.

A nice double sunk dial reasonably jeweled (15 jewels would be the minimum) in what looks to be the original case, a very collectable and low production piece ie uncommon to find as is evidenced by the low volume ( rare) in the PWDB that I would be happy to own and have in my collection

Edited: Feb 9, 2025

 

Posts

17,687

Likes

26,778

Foo2rama

·Feb 10, 2025·Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.

@ghce my bad. I thought adjusted was standard and adjusted plus would be railroad grade.

I was wrong then if this is railroad grade it would not be a mid grade.

 

Posts

3,865

Likes

37,194

ghce

·Feb 10, 2025

Foo2rama

@ghce my bad. I thought adjusted was standard and adjusted plus would be railroad grade.

I was wrong then if this is railroad grade it would not be a mid grade.

Pre 1900's many RR capable were only marked adjusted so it's a bit difficult to tell, was it 3 position was it 5? not till RR rules came into place was it more obvious with markings and a greater emphasis I guess on standing out from your competitors.
This one looks to have gold jewel settings and center wheel plus patent regulator with gold star wheel whereas many less adjusted movements would likely just have a standard regulator and of course nicely decorated movement too though that seems pretty standard on most of the better grades ie those over 7 jewels.
The fact that its a hunter Cased and pendant set would rule it out of RR service later on though some rail roads let them continue to be used after rules were more strictly set.

 

Posts

3,282

Likes

7,766

bgrisso

·Feb 10, 2025

thanks everyone for your help, I will pass along the info to the owner

 

Posts

14,415

Likes

41,519

Canuck

·Feb 11, 2025

The mechanism (movement) is an 1888 model, 16-size, grade 650, 17-jewels. The case back is marked “25-years” which means a veneer of karat gold over brass substrate, made by the Crescent Watch Case Co. (C W C Co.). The 25-years stamping was the case maker’s indication that the gold layer would not wear through to the brass for 25 years. Here is what the pocketwatchdatabase has to say about it. This watch is quite scarce, with a total production of just 2,246 made. Made circa 1897-1899. Double sunk vitreous enamel dial unfortunately has hairline cracks. Because it is stem-set and in a hunter case, it would not have been railroad approved. While this one is considered a 16-size, the 1888 model movement will not fit into a standard 16 size case. Your 1888 model was patented in 1888, not made in 1888.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/7495818

Edited: Feb 11, 2025