Clocks, Watches/Pocket Watch

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Expert: - 10/10/2009


Question

Pocket Watch
I have these 2 watches listed on Ebay and I have had a few people tell me they are solid gold.  I listed them as gold filled since they say "warranted".  I was wondering if you could tell me what indicates that these are solid gold.

Thank you for your help.

Cathy

Answer
Ms. Cathy,

I am not sure you are the same "Cathy" that previously asked about the terms warranted so I will answer in long form.

First, the marking in your photo is 100% definitely the marking for 14k solid gold.

If you would like to confirm that for yourself, go to a bookstore and look for "The Complete Price Guide to Watches" by Cooksey Shugart.  

In a previous post I was asked if the term warranted/guaranteed was accompanied by a number of years, what would that mean.

Prior to 1924, Case makers would state 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years.  The years were the duration the case was guaranteed not to wear through to the base metal.  So, if the case read "warranted 20 years", the case was guaranteed not to wear through for 20 years.

In 1924, the government prohibited the use of years and the case makers had to state the gold content, such as 10k or 14k, etc.  It can also state gold filled as 14k gold-filled.  That is very obvious, of course, that the case is gold filled.

In your case, the case shows 14k and does not state gold filled, so it is solid gold.

Kind regards,

Melvin

PS. Would you send me a photo and description of the watch or the url for the auction, please?

Melvin Mills

Expertise

I can answer questions regarding the repair of quartz watches and antique American pocket watches. I cannot give appraisals. My expertise is in watches, not clocks.

Experience

I am trained to repair quartz and mechanical watches, both modern and antique. My business focus is on quartz watches and antique pocket watches. I have been in this field for almost 5 years.

Organizations
I belong to the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC).

Education/Credentials
I am a Certified Master Horologist from the National Institute of Horology.

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