Help identifying old pocketwatch
Discussion
This was my great grandfathers, and has recently been passed to me.
The question is - what is it? Where can I take it to find out more and get it in working condition again (not that I've tried hard to make it work, I don't want to risk breaking it)?
I've just taken these images but can have a go in better light at some of the detail if it helps, just not sure which bits will help identify it. He scratched his name into the inside of the case, along with "Constantinople" and "1921".
The question is - what is it? Where can I take it to find out more and get it in working condition again (not that I've tried hard to make it work, I don't want to risk breaking it)?
I've just taken these images but can have a go in better light at some of the detail if it helps, just not sure which bits will help identify it. He scratched his name into the inside of the case, along with "Constantinople" and "1921".
An auction house is your best bet. They can at least identify it for you, and give you some indication of value. Once you know this you can decide if pursuing a repair is worthwhile or not.
I'd send an email with copies of these pictures to Paul Maudsley at Bonhams (watches@bonhams.com) and see what they have to say.
Keep us posted - I'd be interested in seeing how it turns out.
I'd send an email with copies of these pictures to Paul Maudsley at Bonhams (watches@bonhams.com) and see what they have to say.
Keep us posted - I'd be interested in seeing how it turns out.
Silly question OP, but was your grandfather German, or a merchant Seaman? I've just been doing some googling around "Constantinopole 1921" and the ocean liner SS Bremen was renamed Constantinople in 1921. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Bremen_(1897)
The dial markings aren't something I've seen before, and they also don't seem to make sense. You have some double chevrons, some single, some facing inwards and some facing outwards, but none really follow the pattern of 12, 3, 6 and 9pm on a conventional watch dial. Is it some sort of marine timer perhaps?
The dial markings aren't something I've seen before, and they also don't seem to make sense. You have some double chevrons, some single, some facing inwards and some facing outwards, but none really follow the pattern of 12, 3, 6 and 9pm on a conventional watch dial. Is it some sort of marine timer perhaps?
Stuart said:
Silly question OP, but was your grandfather German, or a merchant Seaman? I've just been doing some googling around "Constantinopole 1921" and the ocean liner SS Bremen was renamed Constantinople in 1921. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Bremen_(1897)
The dial markings aren't something I've seen before, and they also don't seem to make sense. You have some double chevrons, some single, some facing inwards and some facing outwards, but none really follow the pattern of 12, 3, 6 and 9pm on a conventional watch dial. Is it some sort of marine timer perhaps?
He's British, and I think was in the Navy, I'll have to double check. I had assumed Constantinople was the port he got the watch in, hadn't consider the ship angle. Nice digging!The dial markings aren't something I've seen before, and they also don't seem to make sense. You have some double chevrons, some single, some facing inwards and some facing outwards, but none really follow the pattern of 12, 3, 6 and 9pm on a conventional watch dial. Is it some sort of marine timer perhaps?
Before I start cross posting this to other forums I'm going to have another go at getting some better pics. Then will reach out to TZ-UK and Watchuseek (I'm not a member on the latter yet).
The dial markings are Turkish- the Ottoman Empire was a decent export market for watches for a long time, and so Turkish dials aren't that uncommon in watches of the era. The watch movement looks to be Swiss, or perhaps American, and of the relatively inexpensive late 19th/early 20th century mass-production type that brought affordable watches to the masses and killed off the traditional English industry. The case looks to be silver, judging by the tarnishing- are there any hallmarks that might identify origin, or is it just a base metal?
Back in these days, branded watches weren't the norm- they'd usually be made for the trade, with the jewelling retailers name on the back, for example, so might be difficult to find out what it is without taking it apart- even then, I've had many dismantled that don't have a makers mark stamped anywhere. In all likelyhood, it won't be a brand or even factory we'd recognise today.
I wouldn't be too worried about winding it a bit (though you'll need a key)- if the balance wheel moves freely, it should be OK. If the balance doesn't move freely, I wouldn't wind it. The only thing that sometimes goes on these is the long spring you see at the ratchet wheel- these can fatigue over time and break/lose their spring, causing the watch to violently unwind. Also, there's no shock-protection on watches like this, so if it's been dropped, the balance staff can be bent/broken, in which case it'll certainly need work.
Check your mail in a bit, OP.
Back in these days, branded watches weren't the norm- they'd usually be made for the trade, with the jewelling retailers name on the back, for example, so might be difficult to find out what it is without taking it apart- even then, I've had many dismantled that don't have a makers mark stamped anywhere. In all likelyhood, it won't be a brand or even factory we'd recognise today.
I wouldn't be too worried about winding it a bit (though you'll need a key)- if the balance wheel moves freely, it should be OK. If the balance doesn't move freely, I wouldn't wind it. The only thing that sometimes goes on these is the long spring you see at the ratchet wheel- these can fatigue over time and break/lose their spring, causing the watch to violently unwind. Also, there's no shock-protection on watches like this, so if it's been dropped, the balance staff can be bent/broken, in which case it'll certainly need work.
Check your mail in a bit, OP.
Edited by glazbagun on Monday 13th September 13:12
glazbagun said:
The dial markings are Turkish- the Ottoman Empire was a decent export market for watches for a long time, and so Turkish dials aren't that uncommon in watches of the era. The watch movement looks to be Swiss and of the relatively inexpensive late 19th/early 20th century mass-production type that brought affordable watches to the masses and killed off the traditional English industry.
Back in these days, branded watches weren't the norm- they'd usually be made for the trade, with the jewelling retailers name on the back, for example, so might be difficult to find out what it is without taking it apart- even then, I've had many dismantled that don't have a makers mark stamped anywhere. In all likelyhood, it won't be a brand or even factory we'd recognise today.
^^^ this is why I love PH. Back in these days, branded watches weren't the norm- they'd usually be made for the trade, with the jewelling retailers name on the back, for example, so might be difficult to find out what it is without taking it apart- even then, I've had many dismantled that don't have a makers mark stamped anywhere. In all likelyhood, it won't be a brand or even factory we'd recognise today.
Edited by glazbagun on Monday 13th September 12:32
glazbagun said:
The dial markings are Turkish- the Ottoman Empire was a decent export market for watches for a long time, and so Turkish dials aren't that uncommon in watches of the era. The watch movement looks to be Swiss, or perhaps American, and of the relatively inexpensive late 19th/early 20th century mass-production type that brought affordable watches to the masses and killed off the traditional English industry. The case looks to be silver, judging by the tarnishing- are there any hallmarks that might identify origin, or is it just a base metal?
Back in these days, branded watches weren't the norm- they'd usually be made for the trade, with the jewelling retailers name on the back, for example, so might be difficult to find out what it is without taking it apart- even then, I've had many dismantled that don't have a makers mark stamped anywhere. In all likelyhood, it won't be a brand or even factory we'd recognise today.
I wouldn't be too worried about winding it a bit (though you'll need a key)- if the balance wheel moves freely, it should be OK. If the balance doesn't move freely, I wouldn't wind it. The only thing that sometimes goes on these is the long spring you see at the ratchet wheel- these can fatigue over time and break/lose their spring, causing the watch to violently unwind. Also, there's no shock-protection on watches like this, so if it's been dropped, the balance staff can be bent/broken, in which case it'll certainly need work.
Check your mail in a bit, OP.
My hat off to you Sir. I can't check mail until tonight, but look forward to doing so Back in these days, branded watches weren't the norm- they'd usually be made for the trade, with the jewelling retailers name on the back, for example, so might be difficult to find out what it is without taking it apart- even then, I've had many dismantled that don't have a makers mark stamped anywhere. In all likelyhood, it won't be a brand or even factory we'd recognise today.
I wouldn't be too worried about winding it a bit (though you'll need a key)- if the balance wheel moves freely, it should be OK. If the balance doesn't move freely, I wouldn't wind it. The only thing that sometimes goes on these is the long spring you see at the ratchet wheel- these can fatigue over time and break/lose their spring, causing the watch to violently unwind. Also, there's no shock-protection on watches like this, so if it's been dropped, the balance staff can be bent/broken, in which case it'll certainly need work.
Check your mail in a bit, OP.
Edited by glazbagun on Monday 13th September 13:12
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