How to value a pocket watch - basics

We all see sellers asking insane prices for generic common pocket watches. This video shows some basic steps a seller should be using to start determining the value of a watch they want to sell. It is also a way for a buyer to look up the general value of a watch to determine if it is over priced.
A few places for info I use -
Hampden Watch Co - www.nawcc-ch149...
Hamilton Watch Co - nawcc.org/inde... (also gives links to ledger pages if available)
Elgin Watch Co - elginwatches.or...
Rockford Watch Co - www.nawcc-ch149...
South Bend Watch Co - www.nawcc-ch149...
Waltham Watch Co - nawccinfo.nawc...
Illinois Watch Co databases are available on CD and there is the Illinois book.
A general one that you can use for many companies but accuracy varies some for some companies - pocketwatchdat...
Values are best found sometimes by searching eBay for sold watches with the details you find about it. Like "Hamilton 950 14K".
Visit my site for some accessories for your pocket watches...
pocketwatchacce...

[@fredlocke2566]

Thank you sir. I bought a pocket watch from a UK dealer, my very first pocket watch. I made tons of mistakes. I regret this purchase. Now after watching your video I have a decent idea of how to buy these beautiful watches. I hope to one day find a great watch.

[@SuperHeliboy]

My Dad just gave me two pocket watches. A gold Elgin that I just had repaired and serviced. It has been in the family for 5 generations now. And a Gruen white gold missing a crystal. Also two more gold Elgin wrist watches that were my father's and Grandfather respectively. I plan on repairing all of them eventually. I figure they're just a piece of metal if they aren't working.

[@Katherine_xs]

You are so lucky they are so precious

[@Fcyhcfyc]

I realy dream what will be the watch to buy now, that will be 5 generations down.

[@paulnicholson1906]

your watches have a family history which is worth much more than cash money.

[@ravnulvthordnspyd]

You can always find working mechanisms to get them working. (I'll gladly buy the non working ones from you if you go that route. 😎)

[@georgebell7103]

Thanks, I appreciate the narrative in this video

[@GonzoJamie]

That was a very interesting video to watch. I’ve just bought a Patek Philippe pocket watch. Completely in love with it

[@davidsonmg]

Really good explanation! I have an 1878 Waltham pocket watch that I'm going to get appraised. It's in perfect working condition, 18k gold with chain. Not a Hunter Case though.

[@prachirajput9315]

What is value 19k gold watch

[@buddhawasright]

@@prachirajput9315 your panicking

[@monte4150]

Great video my friend!

[@LordSteven00]

I know what you mean, this makes me upset as well. Other things like blurry pictures and photos of just the dial. The use of "Rare" is definitely a give away that the person just is tiring to maximize the sale, a quick search to pocket watch database will put in perspective just how "Rare".

[@AlamoCityCello]

I’m a complete newbie to collecting. Thank you so much for the valuable information. Question, is the number of jewels in a pocket watch important?

[@spincyclemctowing]

THANK YOU!!! Old and clean doesn’t necessarily mean VALUABLE! Seeing it all over EBay. They’re selling an Elgin or Waltham asking the price of a Patek or V&C

[@olgaramirez4129]

Great video

[@monte4150]

Also new subscriber! Thanks for the great content.

[@wendyglasgow6394]

Very interesting and enjoyable. Thank you.

[@motorzycle]

I have a 1942 Hamilton 992B labeled US Gov. It is in a stainless steel case with a canteen crown. Any idea of worth?

[@equaliser2265]

You have forgotten solid, English silver cased watches. We have watches from 1600 with fusee.

[@donkon1718]

Hey, wonderful video, thanks so much! I just came across a non working (mainspring broke) Illinois Springfield double barrel movement pocket watch. If possible I would love if you could provide some more information? It is a very heavy case, not gold. There is a service signature from 1954 on the inner back case. If you are interested I would defiantly provide images. Thanks so much!

[@silviabayer1213]

Great video! Thank you! I've been trying to find info on a small schwob pocket watch for some time now with no luck. So far... 🙂

[@outtadate]

Awesome video 🙏 id really like to know if all gold pocket watches are hallmarked? Can a solid gold watch be unmarked? The watch that i have is a elgin grade 117 serial number 6121169 but the case in not marked but was tested for 14k by a jeweller!

[@jamesh1017]

Anything both real or imaginary has value, what an item is worth depends on which side of the wallet, your interest are, the seller or the buyer. If acquiring watches brings you joy, then your knowledge base must be ever expanding, prices are not fixed and will fluctuate over time to movement in the markets. I dont know how we would know how much gold was originally used to produce a watch, but that number would not be same today say 100 years later, with services, parts, wear and tear, short of a complete teardown, who knows. So first download all the hall marks from each respective country, marks different in every city, county and country. Those marks contain valuable information not just gold content. Thank you Polonius for previous information.

[@airborneranger-ret]

Liked and subbed

[@akbunny5221]

Excellent, thank you...!

[@thosedicksonkids]

Thanks for the video I just got my hands-on a 1921 box and papers included E Howard white gold solid.

[@SUP_Bigans]

Thank you for sharing the link about South Bend Indiana Pocket Watch! I checked mine and found that Total Runs for Grade is "9". Does it mean that my watch was produced in that year in only 9 units? Sorry I'm not English native language. So I prefer ask to a well informed man, like you. See you soon!

[@thoth1977]

Most American watch companies made watches in runs. Runs are made up of a number of watches. As an example, a watch made in 9 runs and 1000 watches in a run would mean 9000 were made. Runs were groups of a model. The number in a run were not always the same amount of watches. The total count of watches produced of a certain model is the more important number.

[@SUP_Bigans]

@@thoth1977 I read model 2 grade 212 production of grade 9.000 production number for 1.000 year 1913. Thank you for your explanation. Have a nice time.

[@codyreadinger6065]

My grandfather's 1923 watch says Elgin Deluxe? Do you know anything about the deluxe models by any chance? It's hard to find info... thank you.

[@djurgens76]

I am just now looking to get into collecting these watches. The first seller you pointed out is why I won't commit to buying anything

[@thoth1977]

I can understand why you are reluctant. I suggest getting involved in a few FB groups and the NAWCC. Once you find a great group of collectors they do their best about being honest and selling at a fair price.

[@djurgens76]

@@thoth1977 thanks for the advice, ill check it out now

[@Ed-lz4jv]

Well let me know where they give them away LOL

[@andrewbalahura1555]

Nice and very informative video. Totally agree with you people ask a lot but sometimes not. That why we hunt and waiting for the “right” seller. I have 5 silver British watches fussie I believe. How can I contact you to show you pictures? Thanks

[@vvvdog200]

you are right

[@CandycaneBeyond]

I have a Buren. It has a #. It actually ticks. I can't find any information on Buren pocket watches.

[@elizabethvilleda1533]

Thank you! U know

[@Foxrock321]

I just bought two Patek Philippe pocket watches also…so fine

[@elbuhopagador524]

I've got a Tissot gold colored pocket watch that still works. A friend watch repair worker says that it's maybe a hundred years old. I use it as my own everyday watch, although I have no further information about it. Maybe someone can help me with some facts concerning this timepiece!

[@ARTUROFEDERICOGARZA-zw5ok]

Son unas joyas yo tengo 2 elgin uno de los años 20s de 17jewels tienen la corona y la base de la corona y la argolla igual que el Hamilton, pero las tapas son de rosca , y otro de 23 jewels como de los años 50s o 60s, saludos desde Tampico Tamaulipas México

[@chainsawbarbarian]

I have a small Elgi pocket watch. I can't find any info on it at all.

[@keithautry4602]

I bought a 14 karat 1800s ladies pocket watch from the flea market for $100 I'm curious if I overpaid or underpaid

[@thoth1977]

The base value of any solid gold watch is the current value of the gold.

[@pocketwatches8414]

most probably underpaid!

[@paulnicholson1906]

I have some pocket watches and they are interesting but not worth a lot. I didn't pay much for them either. A lot of gold watches have been recycled when the price of gold is high. A real shame. One watch I bought was because I walked by the Trenton Watch Company building on the way to take the train to NYC. I never heard of Trenton watches but ended up buying one as a result. I saved $10 on parking but ended up buying the watch for 40 so it was a net loss but a cool watch. Trenton watches were el cheapo but the building was very ornate and now apartments....

[@kHg.33]

We have come across an antique elgin/ dueber 14k cased pocket watch with 14k gold movement. We are trying to get a value, do you have any ideas on pocket watches with gold movement.

[@thoth1977]

Other than Gruen and a few others I am unaware of any solid gold pocket watch movements. Especially not American made. They are usually Swiss.

[@mohsinettayibi4707]

Does anyone know what the worth is of a kienzle pocket watch?

[@douglasstroup7521]

I have a Sears pocket watch made by Smith industries limited I found the only number is 76

[@hobbswade]

Best served at X1.5 speed.

[@Sethrothe30]

I have a swiss made majesti watch. I can't read the serial number because its too small to see.

[@troyhouston1603]

How much would a 1909 Hamilton, has president label with 21 jewels 940 420k working clean, double roller worth

[@michaelchambers7691]

People nowadays have different values than people back in 1915. Pocket watch value was life and death.

[@pher35]

Ha ha! Just got a email from Ebay to check out a Hamilton. Guy is asking $2300. No info, not even gold content. He says "Rare"

[@MattMcArion]

Hi; thoth1977 I watched your video and found it very useful. I been collecting pocket watches for only about one year and three months. I also collect die-cast toy cars, so one of the collectors that collect die-cast toy cars send an email with two pocket watches. Will, I am not 100% knowledge on pocket watches. And I can tell you have been collecting for a long time. I like to know if you have the time on helping me with these two pocket watches. Both of the pocket watches are Elgin one is 1922 14K but has a dent in the case and the other 1908 with 7 jewels both pocket watches are 16s. Let me know Matt

[@michaeladamson7862]

I have three pocket watches . Three gold two elgins one ham with key

[@joshavery4402]

My Hamilton must be old. The serial number is on top right

[@davidjeffrey5395]

A ladder is more help..

[@tonyaxeman4381]

Go to pocket watch data base and pay to look up the value of Your watch . It was free and pisses me off that they did that .Could be some whinny beach caused them to do that . I get that some try to sell a watch for way more than it is worth. On the data base You can find what same watches sold for. I really hate it when they say it is a railroad watch just cause it has a train on the back. Come on man as Joe would say. I collect and repair all the watches I buy on E bay . Thirty something 7 years doing it. Not a single solid gold watch . I like silver actually .

[@esteban8840]

Same here, over priced watches are everywhere in France

[@douglasstroup7521]

I think it's gold anyone have any info on it

[@thoth1977]

There have been a few different Sears watches over the span of 100+ years. Sears never actually made their own. So if it is of an older type made by Illinois or Elgin that may be possible. If it was the time of the Edgemere and such names those were produced by NY Standard and unlikely to be gold. The final ones were made in lower quality mass production. I had at least one that classified as a "dollar" watch. If you suspect the case to possibly be gold, I would suggest going to.a coin shop or jeweler to have them take a look.

[@fatmirsejdini5992]

I feel your pain. I see it everyday with gold filled hunters. I hunt cases and 25% complete watches. I see clowns trying to sell some 30-60$ cases for 200-300$ . Crazy.

[@shauncorless8965]

I've got Micky mouse ,one 😳

[@Imsaved777]

I bid $2.00 for that (Rare) pocket watch. The stupidity of some people!

[@user-uc8rc9vn1q]

yes somebody is fishing scammer all over

[@MrManny075]

No one force anyone to buy from them

[@selimemini4503]

MQEMIN JEP BOTES BUK PASE LAN TAVOLIN

[@dennishopper8271]

20942 Elgin watch.

[@elizabethvilleda1533]

Bro it’s worse on mecari … adding senamenal value n bs broken shit n wat else my personal fav people hocking they g pas shit n get mad on offer n then say oh I’ll just pass it along