Found this interesting pocket watch at home............

[RobbieL]

Just been having a clearout and found this pocket watch.

On the face it says "Waltham USA" and works perfectly when wound. Not sure what it's made of but is very weighty and substantial.

It's difficult to picture from my phone, but the inscription reads:

"Presented to F Lacey
by his colleagues of
The White Star Line
as a token of esteem
New Year
1911"







F Lacey was my Great Grandfather who was a master boatbuilder - I'm beginnig to wonder if he had a hand in the Titanic!

[Pothole]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltham_Watch_Company

might give you a place to start.

[RobbieL]

Pothole said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltham_Watch_Company

might give you a place to start.

Just been reading that - fascinating!

Interesting to see it was good enough for Abe Lincoln and that a lot of horology owes its existence to the Waltham co.

[RemainAllHoof]

RobbieL said:

I'm beginnig to wonder if he had a hand in the Titanic!

I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing to boast that your grandfather helped built the world's first unsinkable ship.

As for value, it isn't worth much, maybe £150(?) but probably priceless to you...

[RobbieL]

RemainAllHoof said:

I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing to boast that your grandfather helped built the world's first unsinkable ship.

As for value, it isn't worth much, maybe £150(?) but probably priceless to you...

Indeed! Maybe he wasn't a "master" at his trade

Would never dream of selling as I think it's a bit of an heirloom but to think it's 100 years old and works perfectly - fascinating to me.

[RemainAllHoof]

Yep, I would never sell it if I were you. Might be worthwhile getting a valuation; if it's silver, it might be an idea to get it insured if it's worth say £1k due to condition, weight, etc.

[RobbieL]

RemainAllHoof said:

Yep, I would never sell it if I were you. Might be worthwhile getting a valuation; if it's silver, it might be an idea to get it insured if it's worth say £1k due to condition, weight, etc.

Good thinking Batman! I'd never sell it but it just shows how times have changed since those days.

[Revs_Addiction]

That looks fabulous, what a great thing to find

I'm always surprised how cheap pocket watches are vs comparable wristwatches. Might have to start looking at collecting them!

[CardShark]

I'd be extremely proud to own a piece like that, I know zilch about pocket watches but that really does look mighty fine and to have the family history with it as well is great. It reminds me of a thread running not too long ago about engraving and how it affects an item's worth - in this case whatever it may loose in £ it more than gains in sentimental value

[sneijder]

Revs_Addiction said:

That looks fabulous, what a great thing to find

I'm always surprised how cheap pocket watches are vs comparable wristwatches. Might have to start looking at collecting them!

I thought that the other month, bought my first, wound it up, tossed it in the watch box of doom. I promptly forgot about it until now.

You never use the things, and the ticking drives you insane.

I'll buy another, just to be sure though.