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Clocks, Watches/waltham pocket watch age

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Expert: - 6/15/2009


Question
I have acquired a waltham pocket watch that is open faced in a gold case with a small diamond mounted into the case cover. There is a number as well as some writing in the case that would be behind a photograph. The writing says guaranteed essex columbia 20 years and this number 942377. what can you tell me about this watch? Thanks !

Answer
Donnie,

Any time you see guaranteed and a number of years, you know that the case is gold filled.

In this case, no pun intended, the watch case is guaranteed not to wear through the gold to the base metal for 20 years.  That means it has more gold content than a case that has guaranteed for 5 years.

Kind regards,

Melvin

Clocks, Watches

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Volunteer

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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