Expert: Melvin Mills - 9/12/2008

Question
Hi, Mr. Mills.  AS a watch expert, wondering if you can point me in the right direction.  I understand you cannot give an appraisal or info on watches, and Busload was unable to help me other than to determine via the S/N on the back of my dad's watch, that the watch was made in 1959.  I would like to find out more about this watch.  My dad passed away in 1966 when I was only 4-1/2 years old.  I still have his watch, which I had cleaned several years back; It's a beautiful old watch, still runs and keeps perfect time.  It has a bunch of numbers and letters on the back, and I'd like to know what they mean and for insurance purposes, whether the watch is worth anything, i.e., it says 10k on the back just like the ring he left me, which I know is 10k gold. I've gone to antique dealers, watch shops, etc., but no luck. One jeweler told me "any vintage watch dealer" could help me. No luck. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Answer
Marlene,

I have several suggestions.

First, if you're trying to determine value for insurance purposes, you probably don't need an extra rider for the watch. Most insurance policies will insure jewelry up to $2000. Check with your insurance agent to find out what your policy covers. Only luxury Swiss watches would not be covered with such a policy.

I would also suggest you take a picture of the watch (the face of the watch the back of the watch and the watch movement) and put it in a safe place in case you need it for insurance purposes.

If you want to take it a step further and determine the value for your own satisfaction, there are several ways to go about it. First, you can send me an e-mail telling me everything on the back of the watch. We know the age of the watch. If you can tell me the make of the watch and give me a picture, I may be able to give you some additional information about it.  Also, if you know what it reads on the movement, that would be very helpful.

One of the greatest resources for appraising anything is eBay.

Look for a watch from the same maker, same time period, in similar condition. What that watch sells for is actually the market value. You won't have to guess the value at that point. Of course you don't have to go by one watch only. Look at what several watches in that category sell for.

Kind regards,

Melvin