Expert: Melvin Mills - 2/1/2009

Question
I have an ELGIN NATL WATCH CO USA POCKET WATCH the case is made from STAR WATCH CASE CO. <SCEPTER>.  There is no indication of how many jewels it has or if it is gold, gold filled,it looks a little brassy to me. There is no year just a serial number for Elgin and for Star Watch Case. Could you tell me anything about it based on the information I gave you?

Answer
Ms. Julie,

If you can give me the number on the back of the movement, I can tell you the year that this watch was manufactured.  

If the case does not have a 14k marking, it is not gold.  If it has a marking that includes years, such as "warranted 10 years", it is gold filled.  If it doesn't have that, then it is likely gold plated.  

If it does not have any indication of jewels, it is likely a 7 jewel movement.  That was the lowest quality they made.

Get me that serial number and I can tell you the year of manufacturer.

Kind regards,

Melvin