Emka watch

milhous

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about these watches? We've had the one below in our house since our grandfather passed away. At some stage pesky kids (possibly myself) took it outside to play and it hasn't worked since. I'm wondering if there's any possibility of getting it fixed by a watchmaker now?

I think I read somewhere that Emka was founded in 1949 in Switzerland.. I reckon watch maybe 70's? Anyone come across them before and or what the watch would look like sparkled up because I can't really seem to find that model anywhere.

milhous

milhous wrote: »

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about these watches? We've had the one below in our house since our grandfather passed away. At some stage pesky kids (possibly myself) took it outside to play and it hasn't worked since. I'm wondering if there's any possibility of getting it fixed by a watchmaker now?

I think I read somewhere that Emka was founded in 1949 in Switzerland.. I reckon watch maybe 70's? Anyone come across them before and or what the watch would look like sparkled up because I can't really seem to find that model anywhere.

The above about 1949 seems to be wrong, no-one seems to have a solid grasp on when they came to be but I see as far back as 1920 depending on what forum I read. It seems like that name has started watches again in 2005 but it's not clear if someone bought the name (which would be odd as no-one seems to really know of it) or if they inherited the company and decided to start making watches again or other.

CarltonBrowne

The attribution to 1949 probably comes from Mikrolisk (though there is another attribution to 1929 which, in my opinion, fits better):

http://www.mikrolisk.de/show.php?site=280&suchwort=emka&searchMode=exact&searchWhere=all#sucheMarker

I agree that this style of cushion-case watch probably started in the 20s and yours could come from then or possibly any time in the following 4 decades. These often come in 9ct gold cases and if yours does then the hallmark is probably the best way to date the watch. If it's only plated/filled/capped then I'm not sure they can be dated very reliably. Normally if the caseback is gold-coloured the the watch is all old and if it's steel then the case is plated (there are some gold-filled watches with gold-coloured caesbacks though).

I'm guessing that the size is somewhere between 26-32mm without the crown? Also it's normally possible to prize the caseback off with a thumbnail and that should enable you to take a movement shot.

It's a nice little thing, all the same.

milhous

CarltonBrowne wrote: »

The attribution to 1949 probably comes from Mikrolisk (though there is another attribution to 1929 which, in my opinion, fits better):

http://www.mikrolisk.de/show.php?site=280&suchwort=emka&searchMode=exact&searchWhere=all#sucheMarker

I agree that this style of cushion-case watch probably started in the 20s and yours could come from then or possibly any time in the following 4 decades. These often come in 9ct gold cases and if yours does then the hallmark is probably the best way to date the watch. If it's only plated/filled/capped then I'm not sure they can be dated very reliably. Normally if the caseback is gold-coloured the the watch is all old and if it's steel then the case is plated (there are some gold-filled watches with gold-coloured caesbacks though).

I'm guessing that the size is somewhere between 26-32mm without the crown? Also it's normally possible to prize the caseback off with a thumbnail and that should enable you to take a movement shot.

It's a nice little thing, all the same.

Yeah gold case with hallmark. No monetary value I'm sure but I'm getting it working again and cleaned up for my mam via a local dealer. I'll post an update of how it turns out. Thanks for the info.

CarltonBrowne

It's gold - there's always monetary value.

milhous

CarltonBrowne wrote: »

It's gold - there's always monetary value.

Oh I meant I'll probably spend more fixing in than it's actually be worth. But sentimental value, plus I still feel bad for taking it outside about twenty years ago even though the that isn't the cause for the dial being so mottled.

milhous

Update. Local jewellers got it restored. Took a few months but it looks well

CarltonBrowne

That's lovely - well done. I think it would look nicer on a black lizard strap - something a bit dressier.