To get a good idea of the value of a pocket watch, you really need to either become a watch expert or consult one.

Antique Waltham's sell for about $150 to $500.įactors Affecting the Value of a Pocket Watchīrand name and condition are two of the most important factors in determining the value of an antique pocket watch. Waltham: Founded in 1850, the Waltham Watch Company that sought to make mass produced watches when others weren't mass producing them yet. Antique Longines sell for $500 to $5,000. Longines: This is another Swiss company founded in 1832, and all their watches include a winged hourglass logo engraved on the movements with the company name on the dial. A couple of 14K gold Elgin watches have sold for over $2,000 each. A yellow gold Ebel pocket watch sold on eBay in 2020 for around $2,100.Įlgin: Founded in 1864, Elgin was originally called the National Watch Company and is an American watch company known for mid-quality watches. Brands would include their name or logo on all their pieces.Įbel: This Swiss company founded in 1911 and known for high-end designs that were beautiful and functional. Wristwatch conversion: This is a wristwatch that was converted into a pocket watch.Įach collector has specific criteria for which watches to collect, but many collector's like to have good examples of popular brands.Stainless steel watches: These are pocket watches with a case made from stainless steel.Any made after 1908 are typically open-faced. Railroad pocket watch: Railroad watches were made for and used by those working on the railroad.

The inner case can be removed to wind the watch, then placed in the outer case for protection.

Pair-cased: Made in the mid-18th century, this is essentially an open-face pocket watch set inside a hunter case.

The winding and setting stem and crown will be located at the 12 position on the watch.

Open-face: This type of watch does not have a cover to protect the crystal, or glass, on the dial of the watch.

Military pocket watches: Pocket watches were standard issue for militaries in some regions up through the early 1900s and were very simple.

The stem and crown, or winding mechanism, will be located at the 3 position on the watch.

Hunter case: This type of watch has a round metal cover attached to a spring hinge that closes to protect the crystal on the dial.

Demi-hunter case: The cover has a tiny window so you can tell the time without opening it.

The watch dial, or face, and watch case are used to identify what type of pocket watch you have.

Identifying english pocket watches