Any watch collectors?
I had a couple of pocket watches I thought I'd put in the booth. The gold watch is missing the crystal and the second hand, but is running. I started to check to see what kind of watch it is and I'm stuck. I got the back open and the works are marked The Joseph Welf and Sons Co. Cleveland, Ohio, number stamped on the works: 2344133, 17 jewels. I can't find much information. I found a pocket watch database, but had no luck there. Does anyone know where else I can look? Thank you I think it might be a pretty good watch, even if it's not complete. The other watch is a Wesclox Scotty, and it really is in pieces.
bucolic_frolic
(46,975 posts)https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/welf-bros-pocket-watch.39546/
Watches and jewelry value can vary widely. If gold spikes to $2,4,6,8k per ounce, people sell them for scrap - gold content. I don't know how much collectible value there is at any given point.
Marthe48
(19,009 posts)I'm glad I slowed down and checked. If I find anything out, I'll let you know!
Boxerfan
(2,533 posts)Or the movement.
It sounds like a private label watch. Often sold with the retailers name on the dial but no connection to the actual watch manufacturer.
The working / watch value is likely minimal-less than $100.00-UNLESS the case is gold. Then that is the value. The Scotty could be sold for parts but not likely as $10.00 would be a lot for that.
Pics if possible.
Marthe48
(19,009 posts)https://imgur.com/gallery/Xv9wlSP
I put $1 on the Scotty--downsizing, ruthlessly
I read the links that BucolicFrolic posted and checked to see if the serial number on the works matches the Illinois works. I think I found it!
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/2344133
Thanks for all of your information.
multigraincracker
(34,071 posts)list it on eBay.
I bought a wristwatch at a yard sale for a buck. They were listed on eBay from $250 to $1,400. We pour on eBay for, buy it now for $400 and it sold the first day. Everyone was happy.
Marthe48
(19,009 posts)I might hang on to the gold watch awhile. I thought it would be a common pocket watch, but just like other things we have, it's an oddball. I don't even know where we got it. Not a family heirloom.
Boxerfan
(2,533 posts)But that would really only affect value on a complete/ mint example.
Also being a 12s makes it less valued than a railroad watch with similar #'s.
All in I'd say $60-80. on E-bay. The dial is nice & it could be restored but it still would struggle to get past $100.0 (IMHO)
Not solid gold and the monograms & wear work against it. And competent service for old watches is HTF & costly meaning it probably wouldn't pay to restore unless it did have sentimental or family value.
Marthe48
(19,009 posts)and looked at the explanation on The Pocket Watch Database. More details I must go back and try to understand. But is that serial number definitely a 12 size watch?
You sound experienced in watches. Thanks for all of the information
Boxerfan
(2,533 posts)Very good watches & capable of excellent timekeeping.
But they did play the market like Mattel does now. Lots of variants & short runs to keep the sales going. Illinois sold the watches to the jeweler listed on the dial .
Not a lottery winner but a nice old watch. Railroad adjusted 16s / 18s will always do better. 12s were more of a gents watch than a working timepiece.
Cheers.
timms139
(174 posts)//www.marks4antiques.com/price-guides/
Marthe48
(19,009 posts)I'll check that and see what it says. It's been awhile, and I put the watch somewhere safe