Comments on: Gold, Silver Prices Endanger Future of Antique Watch Collections

By: Luis A. Plata

Luis A. Plata — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 22:27:28 +0000

Hi, I have a 1902 Elgin Hunter Pocket watch, but it’s rose gold-filled, I would prefer it to be 14k.
Would it affect it’s value to put the movment into a same era gold case, or is ‘all original’ prefered in these watches?
Thanks, Luis.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:53:43 +0000

Dear Sir,

I was reading your article and have in my possession a family heirloom

It is a H.L. Matile pocketwatch circa 1845 Lot #639

I would love nothing more than to repair this piece of family history but to-date any watchsmith or jeweler I have taken it to won’t touch it.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I might be able to repair this.

If interested I can supply professional quality photos of the watch and its mechanical workmanship.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards,

Jackson

By: Robert Higginbotham

Robert Higginbotham — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:52:56 +0000

Hi, I am one of those gold buyers you speek of. Have scrapped many through the years. Have also “collected” several, while I am not a collector. Most are not rare, some 14k, 18k, one in platinum. Also several wrist watches. Does anyone recomend an outlet to resell these, to keep them from being scrapped? My regular contacts, not interested.

By: Carl Peterson

Carl Peterson — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:01:05 +0000

Hi, your point is well taken. However, being in the business of buying and selling collectibles, I have had the expensive and time consuming chore of going to watch buyers with old gold watches to be offered a small percentage of the gold value. What I am hearing you say in your article is you want these watches at a price which is not consistent with the reality of the times.

If antique, coin and collectible dealers want to preserve the items of their trade, they must offer prices that will keep the items out of the melting pots. In too many cases they are simply taking advantage of an untrained consumer.

Or when faced with a consumer, who as you say is “trying to pay the bills”, and knows the precious metal value of the item they are selling the dealer will pass making the claim they cannot make money buying the item. The fault is not the consumer, it is the industry ignoring reality.

When you the dealer is faced with purchasing a collectible involving precious metal, know how to determine the metal value and pay accordingly. This will in most cases save the item.

By: Susan

Susan — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:40:20 +0000

Too true. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ve been asking people I know who scrap to save watch movements for me. I haven’t figured out what to do with them yet. I also list watches on ebay for other dealers as the last stop before the melting pot. Usually the watches don’t get the opening bid, because they are priced according to the estimated weight in gold. Which is too much for collectors. It seems like there are just way more watches than watch collectors. I have a friend who sells restored pocket watches at the Brooklyn Flea. There is definitely a demand for them. Another problem is that it costs so much money to start collecting watches. And so much knowledge. I’ve been buying and selling jewelry for 12 years, and I’ve only scratched the surface with watches. Crazy times.

By: jeanne

jeanne — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:01:02 +0000

I’ve an antique watch that I’ve been researching for a year now. Can’t find anything on it, except that the engraving matches that of the baseball player Hircher. If I can send a picture, can anyone help me?
Thanks.

By: David Mycko

David Mycko — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 02:29:03 +0000

How right you are Doctor! And thank you for your comments, you have certainly spoken the truth about these fortune hunters. Raping the poor ignorant people who simply by chance or inheritance happen to have posession of fine and rare objets de-art. What a sad, sad, sad shame, all the best, David M.

By: David Mycko

David Mycko — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 02:20:23 +0000

Hi john, I would have to say absolutely! a fine old watch of this nature needs to be preserved for future generations to come. We don’t own these fine old treasures, merely temporary caretakers, as they will still be around long after we have all passed on. Unless they are destroyed whilst in our keeping! Then, they are gone forever! all the best, David M.

By: David Mycko

David Mycko — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 02:14:53 +0000

Hello Folks, and thank you for all your comments! I have never had so many, so quickly! I guess i struck a nerve here. I will do a follow-up article. I am sorry I can’t answer all your questions through this portal, but Worthpoint has a valuation program for a mere $20, and I promise you I will give all your valuations my best attention with as many dollar figures and details as possible. Please contact Maggie Turnipseed with your valuation requests, and I will get right to work. thank you all once again, and all the best, David mycko

By: Dr Roger Malebranche

Dr Roger Malebranche — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:01:54 +0000

Unfortunately the best watch movements are lodged within heavy protective gold cases, and the value of the gold far outweighs most watch movements. And this is the problem. In our town, trawling outfits show up every 2 weeks, advertise heavily in local papers and net everything with promises of cash paid on the spot.These people are a combination of appraisers/buyers andself annointed saviours of the defenseless public. They keep coming, paying a fraction of the true worth of the pieces. Some entrepreneurs search the web and eBay 10 hours a day, buying gold watch for less than gold values and they make a living that way. The next generation will have to go to museums to see great watches in their native state. SAD, SAD, SAD.

By: Sabra Fawcett

Sabra Fawcett — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:55:24 +0000

Can you tell me anything about our old family Elgin watch that belonged to my great-grandmother? Movement: Serial #5,612,354 (year 1894, I think). Case: Serial #2093118. Jeweler’s #16737

By: LeeInOceanside

LeeInOceanside — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:23:29 +0000

In the 1980′s when the Hunt brothers bought up all the silver they could silver coins were sold to be melted. This, of coarse, made many of the scarcer dates worth more later on. This new run on precious metals will no doubt cause gold and silver objects that escape this destiny worth more in the years to come.

By: John Syred

John Syred — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:22:42 +0000

Hi your comments regarding gold pocket watches being worth more as scrap,does this apply in all cases?I am about to sell an 18ct. gold watch complete with original gold chain large link,it is a double fusee, chain driven made by Fowler Liverpool or London?
Working condition 1850????????

John Syred.