Pawn shop bargain?

David1954 · Aug 9, 2025

Just got back from a trip to the USA. I wandered into a pawn shop and said any mechanical watches? They had a wrecked Elgin and this one which they said looked old, but they couldn't open the back. I bought it and eased it open

Took the chain to jewellers and it tested as 14K gold. Case is for American Watch Case Company and marked 14k.

Not the omega or tissot I normally collect, but nice addition to collection I think

Canuck · Aug 9, 2025

Pawn shop bargain? Without a doubt! The Pocketwatchdatabase site information on your watch. Not a rare movement, but very few of the movements made were placed in such a grand case. Now, where did you say this pawn shop is?

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/14543347

Tony C. · Aug 9, 2025

Bargain? The case alone is likely worth many multiples of what you paid, for its melt value!

David1954 · Aug 9, 2025

Thank you for the reference: I realised it wasn't a very special movement, but very clean and keeps excellent time. Can't remember where the shop is 😉 but maybe I'll be able to find it again next time I visit!

Canuck · Aug 9, 2025

Many thanks to the pawn shop that didn’t dump the movement, and scrap the case! And many thanks to you for rescuing it from such a fate, and likewise not scrapping the case. It is far too nice to meet such a fate!

Pawn shop bargain?

David1954

Canuck

Tony C.

David1954

Canuck

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