Pocket Watch restoration questions

thecapedcanine

Folks,
My Dad recently passed away and amongst his belongings we found an antique sterling silver pocket watch. My mother has kindly allowed me to keep it and Ive been looking into getting it restored.
Its sterling silver as I said, as it has hallmarks that indicate such, however I cant find the maker on the internet. The makers mark looks like a JC on a triangle.
From looking at the family history we think it could have belonged to my grand uncle, who was a bachelor and considered wealthy at the time, or my great grandfather, so it could date from 1890.
I dont have an account with any photo sharing websites so I dont have any way to post the pictures I have of the watch.
Anyone any experience getting pocket watches repaired? Or any insight into the maker?
Thanks for your time folks,
the caped canine
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79701833@N07/

blindsider

Might be worth signing up to Photobucket or similar - only takes a minute.

CarltonBrowne

Pictures would definitely help, especially a good quality movement shot and the silver hallmarks (these might be the most accurate means of dating the watch). Unless it's from a particularly reputable or collectable maker it, unfortunately, is unlikely to be worth much as there is not that much of a market for these. Most gold pocket watches, for example, sell for approximately the scrap value of the case. It's a bit depressing but on the plus side it looks like the sentimental value means something to you.

CarltonBrowne

Just a thought; does anything show up on here?
http://www.mikrolisk.de/show.php/280/letter_J

Wibbs

CarltonBrowne wrote: »

Pictures would definitely help, especially a good quality movement shot and the silver hallmarks (these might be the most accurate means of dating the watch).

+1 It would be great to see pics. It would make a huge difference. There are plenty of free image hosting services out there. Indeed google "free image hosting" and pages of them come back.

Unless it's from a particularly reputable or collectable maker it, unfortunately, is unlikely to be worth much as there is not that much of a market for these.

Maybe, maybe not CB. Sure the same watch in a wristwatch is often going to be double the price, but there's enough of a market for pocket watches out there. The Italians go mad for them, as do many our American cousins. There are a few big us based forums regarding pocket watches. Makers wise the American marques are often worth a few quid. Railroad class ones in particular. I've seen particular dials on their own go for nearly 600 quid. Just the dials. Elgin, Hamilton, Hampden, and a few others are names to look for. The Swiss ones, though often not as fancy can do well too and the usual names apply value wise. Extra complications like dates, chronos and repeaters can be seriously mad money. Ones with military provenance add value too.

If it's fully jeweled(15 rather than 7), is in good condition with a perfect dial and from a good maker it's gonna have some value. Couple of hundred quid at least. Repair wise they're usually a lot easier to work on than wristwatches. For a start they're bigger which simplifies things. Spares particularly for the US marques are pretty easy to come by as they standardised parts more and more often than the Swiss marques. You need to find someone who knows what they're at mind you. The dials which are usually porcelain a case in point. You read that these dials are very delicate. IMHO and in my experience damn near every single one that I've seen with cracks and damage has been due to watchmakers over tightening the dial feet screws.

Does the watch run, even for a few minutes, even seconds? This is good as it means the Balance assembly is probably alright and that's the real expensive bit and needs a cog jockey who knows their stuff to sort. Does the crown wind and set the hands? Good sign again. Be aware though that with many pocket watches the winding and hand setting is not like in a modern watch where you pull the crown to set the hands. If there's a button near the crown you press that to set the hands. Some have a lever under the dial. If all that's OK then it's probable all it needs is a service. The older oils would over time get thicker and thicker and just stop the movement. Ironically often preserving it as they didn't go dry as more modern oils can.

thecapedcanine

Thanks for all the replies folks, Ill post some pics today as soon as I get sorted.. Ill be back:D

thecapedcanine

Folks,
Can anyone tell me anything about the watch from looking at the pictures? Ive posted the link to the flickr account I set up.
I think Ill send it to a watch restorer I found in Galway to see if its fixable. However I would love to see if anyone has any insight into the maker as I cant find that mark on the internet.
Thanks in advance folks.
thecapedcanine

Wibbs

Can't make out the maker myself. It's a silver hunter cased keywound* pocketwatch. the hallmarks are indistinct but they look English. I'd put it's age at late 19th century. The dial is in good condition and I can see some jeweling. It's missing the minute hand but they are easy enough to source on ebay and the like. The balance looks ok, as does the hairsping so that's good.


* rather than winding and setting by the crown you would insert a key in the back to do both. If you don't have the key again they're easy to source.

golden lane

thecapedcanine wrote: »

Folks,
Can anyone tell me anything about the watch from looking at the pictures? Ive posted the link to the flickr account I set up.
I think Ill send it to a watch restorer I found in Galway to see if its fixable. However I would love to see if anyone has any insight into the maker as I cant find that mark on the internet.
Thanks in advance folks.
thecapedcanine

suspend the workings of the watch over a saucer of paraffin oil........not in the oil......that will clean it.......

Wibbs

golden lane wrote: »

suspend the workings of the watch over a saucer of paraffin oil........not in the oil......that will clean it.......

Not very well, if at all. It's not far off a quick spray of WD40 into the mechanism(beloved of ebay "services"). To clean a watch movement you must disassemble it to it's basic components, examine for wear(chances are it'll require a new mainspring, the driving power of a watch), clean the components(usually ultrasonically) and precisely oil the pivot points(and grease the mainspring) with the right oils in the correct amounts(IE tiny amounts). Sure the "quick fix" may get a watch running again, but it won't run for long, it won't be accurate and you'll introduce even more wear and tear. This goes triple for a vintage movement that hasn't run for years. Funny enough really old movements may not have much wear compared to more modern ones. Basically because of the oils used. The older oils dry out and gum up the works, stopping the watch. Newer oils run dry, but don't gum up the works so will keep running and wearing.

Particularly with a personally valuable* watch it's the best bet to bring it to an expert and have them do a full service as described.



*value is often a very subjective thing.

thecapedcanine

Folks,
After much searching on the net I found a lovely gentleman in Galway that was willing to take a look at the watch to see if its repairable and how much it would cost.
he has just quoted me €350.00 there for a full restore including:

1. New Hour Hand
2. New Glass
3. Dismantle the movement, clean parts and re-assemble
4. Polish the silver case
5. supply a key to wind the watch.

He said it would be 'as new' after a restore, which is no mean feat for something that was made in 1890 (ish)
It will be a minute out a day roughly when operational and has a 'cylinder escapement'.
I suppose what Im posting this for is to ask is this a reasonable quote for this work?
The watch if restored would be a wonderful family heirloom and something quite beatiful if restored to its former glory but I really dont want to be ripped off and thats a lot of money for me.
Expert opinions would be most welcome
Thank you in advance
The caped canine

blindsider

Did you try

Kenneally Jewellers
Address: 45 Wickham Street Co. Limerick.
Phone: +353-61-416704
Reviews: #1
Notes: Vintage repairs

for a quote?

I have used them recently - will post pics soon.

Very nice chap there and very reasonable. (I have no connection to Kenneally's.)

If you haven't called him yet, you've little to lose.

Wibbs

It might be worth getting a second opinion anyway. I'd say the quote is fairly OK by Irish prices though. If he can get a cylinder movement down to a minute a day even moreso.