Expert: Melvin Mills - 7/6/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Melvin: Have this watch in excellent condition,gold case with
c.w.c.co stamp and trade mark. I understand that they only made the case,and a jeweler told me it was 14 k gold,but there are no marks indicating if it is 14k gold or if it is gold filled. It does look like solid gold but I am going to sell the watch and do not want to do a disservice to the buyer The number in the case is
496064.Any thoughts? What a beautiful watch. The watch  number is
6102176.

Thank you

ANSWER: georgejzaroulis,

As a watch buyer, I do appreciate the care you are  taking to make sure that you do not missrepresent the watch.  Indeed, the gold content in the case will signifacantly alter the value.

All case makers used markers to indicate gold content.  Before 1923, the case company would use years to signify how long it would take for the gold to wear down to the base metal.  If you see a mark such as warranted 10 years, warranted 25 years, you knew automatically that the case was gold filled.

After 1923, the government stepped in to regulate the industry and mandated that companies use gold content, such as 10kt gold filled, or 14kt gold filled.  

A solid gold case would stated 14kt or the European equivalent, which is the decimal .583.

First, I would ask the jeweler why he thinks the case is solid gold and if he did a chemical test to know for sure.  There may be a marking from the case company that signifies solid gold.

I will tell you that you will have a hard time finding a buyer willing to pay for a solid gold case without some marking on the case.  If you can take a picture of the markings on the case, I would be happy to take a look for you.

Kind regards,

Melvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Melvin. You have been very helpful.
I also have a couple of unusual watches. A British silver case made by Albert Curtis arould 1890,the movement has no markings,it looks sealed and I do not want to damage it. It is gold in color and has a deepe gold design in th middle of the case mevement. Dial has no markings and it id key wound Like i said I am not a jewler nad do not want to damage the watch. Also have a Bigelow brothers & Kennard # 68476, Silver case and a gold movement,main jewel looks like a cut diamond The case was made in England. I would be happy to send pictures or even the watches if you think it is worth it. My intention is to sell them but don't know if E bay is the way. Thank you again for your wonderful help.

George Zaroulis
9788513051


Answer
George,

Let's start with some pictures.  

Send them to millswatchrepair@gmail.com

I will look them over and tell you what I can.

I must state that I am in no way an expert on European watchmakers.

I will find out what I can and point you in the right direction, though.
Does that sound fair?

Ebay is worth considering.  It is a worldwide marketplace.  If that is not what
you are after, consider bringing them to an auction house.  You don't need a gallery
full of watches for this.  They can sell them along with other watches from other sellers.
This is done in the New York market so I suspect it is an industry practice.

Kind regards,

Melvin

P.S.  Did you find out any more about the first watch?  Was it solid gold?