Thread: Help Identifying an Illinois Pocket Watch

Yeah.....we have a LOT of antique stores around here that got into their products at a high price and won't come down to a "normal" price because they'd lose money. I have went back once every couple months for almost a year to a little place that has some razors but they won't come down any on chipped and rusted razors. It's ok with me, plenty of places out there to explore.

I doubt they will take very kindly to me offering half of asking. I'm content to wait until the right watch comes along.

Is eBay just as treacherous for watches as razors? Seems it would be....

Those are called "museums" They'll sell two or three POS to some out-of-town yokel once a year. Just enough to pay the utility bills.

And for some reason, they love to mark anything that looks like a watch; pocket or wrist, up into the stratosphere. Because great-uncle Elmo had a watch that was worth big bucks once upon a time. These are the same folks that will look up a piece in a reference book and slap on the highest price listed because theirs is in "Mint" condition. Riiiiiight!

As for eBay, whether it's watches or razors, buyer beware! I've been burned more than once even though my wife tells me I know what I'm doing

Well, I already messed up and bought a cheap "dollar watch" for $40 and it didn't keep time for anything. So my wife's a little Leary about letting me make watch purchasing decisions.

Join the NAWCC (30 yr member).go to the watch marts,thats where all the good stuff is,at w'sale prices.
Thats where I buy,than flip it on ebay for some very tidy profits.

If you really want a nice, dependable, accurate watch for not much more than your budget, get a railroad approved 16 size pocket. if you have an eBay account, log in, type "16 Size Pocket Watch" as a search. Look for 21 jewel models; any of the better names, Hamilton, Illinois, Howard, and you won't go wrong.

There is an excellent article here http://www.pockethorology.org/

click on the link, Just What is a Railroad Watch? By Kent Singer

It's a start. But be warned; you might end up collecting more than straights

Oh crap! I probably shouldn't go to that site then! I'm already designing a jewelry box to hold my pocket knives, pocket watches, and fountain pens. Notice I said pocket watches. I haven't even bought one yet and I'm planning for the third and fourth....... Dang AD.

Thank you for the article. I really should find a decent watch already serviced. eBay scares me a little because I really don't know what I'm doing.

The problem with buying a vintage Pocket watch is they are relatively complex mechanisms and everything has to fit right for it to work right and you never know the history of the piece you are considering. Cases and faces can be swapped out and in many cases this was a common practice. Also the more expensive the watch the more incentive to get it working to make a quick sale. Sometimes you can get a watch that will run great for days or even weeks and then stop dead and some repairs can be very time consuming and some watches can be very difficult to diagnose depending on the problem.

It's not for the uninitiated.

All the more reason to join the NAWCC and buy from reputable dealers that have reputations to protect.
Our shows and marts are not open to the public,every seller is a member so you can be assured of getting what you pay for.
As far as parts availability.it is not an issue these days,just like what happend in the early 80s with the price of gold,thousands of high grade watches are being sold for no more than the case melt wgt,the market is getting flooded with high grade movements again.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Also the more expensive the watch the more incentive to get it working to make a quick sale.

And the operative word here is working. Just because a watch "ticks" doesn't mean it keeps time.

And you're right, it's not for the uninitiated. A wise man once told me if you continue to go into the forums, you will get any opinion you may be looking for and the conflicting and self serving BS is abounding.

Please, do the homework