Expert: Melvin Mills - 1/28/2011

Question
I have a Waltham (I don't see 14K g on it so it must be a goldtone finish pocket watch.  It still works and is in excellent condition. On the inside back cover it says C.W. C. Co Planet tradmark #563637.  It belonged to my husband's great grandmother and is engraved with her name and date June 23, 1894.  The outside cover is ornately carved with a farm scene on one side and the same border but her initials on the back.  It is really beautiful and quite a keepsake.  Whatever you could tell me about this would be greatly appreciated.  Does it lose it's value since it is engraved or add to the value since it still works? Is Waltham a good watch company? still in business?
Thanks very much.

Answer
Susan,

Wow, that sounds like an impressive watch.

It does not lose value because of the engraving.  As a matter of fact, some people will collect watches with engravings.  

It does not add or detract from the value.  All these watches are antiques or at least vintage so they have value for that reason.

Waltham Watch Co. was a huge company that made watches for over 100 yeas in Massachusetts.

Follow this url to a history:

http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/waltham.html

They made some high grade watches and some not so high grade.  You can determine the quality by how many jewels are in the movement.  If you can open the back, it will be written on the movement.  Also, look at the serial number on the movement and you can determine when the watch was made.

Please feel free to ask any other questions you migh have.

Kind regards,

Melvin