I collect fountain pens and pocket watches, does anyone else on DU?

[CoopersDad]

8. Thanks for responding, I can help you with your watch.

Regarding prices, fountain pens made a comeback some time ago and prices can be very high for a quality pen with 14k or 18K nib.
However, very reliable pens can be had for under $30, which I'm sure seems like a lot for a pen, but I love writing with them and collecting them. I'm fascinated by the mechanisms and by the different materials and finishes.

For watches, I think value hasn't changed that much over the ten years I've been collecting and I was surprised to find a 100 year old Elgin 17 jewel watch in a display case for $150 on eBay.

The movements are amazing to me-- I tinker and build prototypes and cannot imagine how they made clocks and watches 100, 200 years ago and earlier. The jewels are bearings, selected because of their hardness, rubies and other precious gems are used.

If you can find your watch I can tell you how to open it and find the serial number-- I can use that to find the year your watch was made and learn more about the case. Gold cases are typically gold-filled rather than pure gold but the inside of the case should include that detail.

Please let me know if you can find the watch and if you want to trace it's history and details!