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Why antique pocket watches are a great investment

Antique pocket watches are a timeless piece of history that many individuals seek out for their style and charm. These timepieces have a long history, dating back centuries ago to the early 1500s. Despite the advent of modern watches, antique pocket watches are still highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Not only are they admired for their intricate designs and craftsmanship, but they are also an excellent investment opportunity for those who appreciate their value. Whether you are an avid collector or have just started considering investing in antiques, antique pocket watches can be a great addition to your portfolio. They are highly sought after by collectors and investors, and their value has increased substantially over the years.

What Do those Words on My Watch Mean?

Many European-made pocket watches have a wealth of information written on the dust cover and/or movement. Unfortunately, not only are the words often in a foreign language such as French, they are often highly idiomatic and not in common usage today. Many novice collectors see this writing and...

How Do You Open the Back of a Watch?

Most of the information crucial to identifying a particular pocket watch is inscribed on the watch movement. Different watches allow you to see the movement in different ways, however, and if you don't realize how your watch opens up you can damage it. Pry off – on many watches the back cover...
“Real” Silver vs. Fake

“Real” Silver vs. Fake

Although silver isn't nearly as valuable as gold, it's still nice to know if your watch is in a silver case or just a silver-colored case. Watch cases made in Europe were often stamped with hallmarks to guarantee that they were silver, but this was not the case [no...

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Railroad Watches

Railroad Watches

Many collectors feel that American watchmaking reached its pinnacle with the invention of the railroad watch. In an effort to meet the stringent and rigorous demands of the railroads, where the incorrect time could and did prove disastrous, American watchmakers were...

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What Does “Adjusted” Mean?

What Does “Adjusted” Mean?

Many pocket watches state that they are “adjusted” to temperature and to a number of positions. This basically means that they have been specially calibrated to maintain the same accuracy under a variety of conditions. A watch that has been adjusted to temperature...

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What Are Watch “Jewels”?

What Are Watch “Jewels”?

A watch movement mostly consists of a number of gears [called “wheels”] held in place by an upper and a lower plate. Each wheel has a central shaft [called an “arbor”] running through it, the ends of which fit into holes in the plates. If you have a metal shaft in a...

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What Size Is My Watch?

What Size Is My Watch?

When a collector refers to an American watch’s “size,” he or she is generally referring to the diameter of the watch movement only, not the case. The same size watch movement will usually fit in a variety of different size cases, so the size of the case is usually not...

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How Are Different Watches Set?

How Are Different Watches Set?

Most people think that you set a pocket watch the same way you set a wristwatch -- by pulling out the winding stem. Well, that is true with many pocket watches, but by no means all of them! In fact, there are four main ways pocket watches can be set, and if you don't...

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How Do You Open the Back of a Watch?

How Do You Open the Back of a Watch?

Most of the information crucial to identifying a particular pocket watch is inscribed on the watch movement. Different watches allow you to see the movement in different ways, however, and if you don't realize how your watch opens up you can damage it. Pry off – on...

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What’s the Difference Between Grade and Model?

What’s the Difference Between Grade and Model?

The model of a watch is the overall design of the watch’s movement. In general, the model defines the size and shape of the plates and/or bridges. The model especially defines the layout of the (gear) train and the design of the vast majority of the parts. Waltham...

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Who Made My Watch?

Who Made My Watch?

The question I am most often asked is some variation of “Who made my watch?” This question usually occurs because the watch has no visible maker's name or brand, and the answer is not quite as straightforward as you might think. There are various reasons why an old...

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Hallmarks

Hallmarks

Silver hallmarks in the UK date back to the medieval period and the practice of applying them as a guarantee of the purity of the precious metal represents Britain’s oldest form of consumer protection. It was Edward I (1272-1307) who first passed a statute requiring...

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Is a Pocket Watch a Worthy Investment?

Is a Pocket Watch a Worthy Investment?

In today’s world, checking the time usually means getting a smartphone out of your pocket however, an upsurge of interest in vintage fashion has led many people back to the pocket watch. A firm favourite at weddings or special events, it’s common to see men wearing...

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