Getting information about non-valuable old pocket watches
July 21, 2017 12:45 PM Subscribe
I've just been given some old pocket watches that belonged to my grandmother. I don't want to sell them and don't care what they're worth (probably very little), but I want more information. What's a good place to look?
My grandmother died last year, and I was just given four pocket watches that belonged to her. They're all older than 1970, and the most interesting one is much older (probably from the 19-teens or 20s). This family was never wealthy and I don't expect these are worth anything (and wouldn't sell them if they were), but I want more information.
Google is mostly turning up eBay and Etsy posts where people are trying to sell watches like these, or sending me to antique appraisal websites and blogs. What I actually want is information about when these were made and anything interesting about their story, as well as an idea of whether it's worth seeing if the very old one can be refurbished so it works.
Where is there a good source of information online that's not focused entirely on sales? And/or, can you recommend a brick and mortar place in/near Seattle where I can ask some questions without getting snide comments about how these aren't valuable?
My grandmother died last year, and I was just given four pocket watches that belonged to her. They're all older than 1970, and the most interesting one is much older (probably from the 19-teens or 20s). This family was never wealthy and I don't expect these are worth anything (and wouldn't sell them if they were), but I want more information.
Google is mostly turning up eBay and Etsy posts where people are trying to sell watches like these, or sending me to antique appraisal websites and blogs. What I actually want is information about when these were made and anything interesting about their story, as well as an idea of whether it's worth seeing if the very old one can be refurbished so it works.
Where is there a good source of information online that's not focused entirely on sales? And/or, can you recommend a brick and mortar place in/near Seattle where I can ask some questions without getting snide comments about how these aren't valuable?
You could also try Arc Watch Works and Engraving at Northgate Mall. They were pretty cool to me when I took my Eddie Bauer watch in for repairs - and that watch is worthless.
posted by Tardis_Spin at 1:03 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Tardis_Spin at 1:03 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
You can post your question in the pocket watch section of the popular watch enthusiast forums. They geek out on this stuff and will help you find out exactly what you have.
Try Watchuseek and maybe TimeZone
posted by danny the boy at 1:59 PM on July 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
Try Watchuseek and maybe TimeZone
posted by danny the boy at 1:59 PM on July 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
Just start searching for the serial numbers and model numbers.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:22 PM on July 21, 2017
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:22 PM on July 21, 2017
You might have a look around the collections database of the National Watch and Clock Museum. There's also a National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Message Board you could rummage around in.
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:50 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:50 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The watchuseek forums have posters who enjoy doing this kind of research. Heck, *I* enjoy this kind of research. If you post a few photos, including the insides if at all possible, I (and probably others here) can help point you in a more specifically helpful direction.
posted by dbx at 1:35 PM on July 22, 2017
posted by dbx at 1:35 PM on July 22, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by FencingGal at 1:01 PM on July 21, 2017 [2 favorites]