Old gold pocketwatch (WWII) - any idea of value?

Discussion in 'General Precious Metals Discussion' started by wrcmad, Nov 15, 2012.

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  1. wrcmad

    wrcmad Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Hi all,

    A mate of mine was telling me about a gold watch that was passed down to him - obtained by his grandfather in WWII by shooting and looting a German high ranking officer. I naturally took the story with a little grain of salt, but he handed it to me today asking what I'd pay him for it. He let me broow it o/night.

    Internet research suggests the WWII storey is probably accurate.

    This watch is a Silvana 411, marked 14K, and yes, it still ticks. Although a little grubby on the outer casing, it is definitely not plated. Info I have been able to find suggests these were Swiss watches used by the German military.

    I have no idea about watches. Any idea or opinion of value would be greatly appreciated.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    wrcmad, Nov 15, 2012
    #1
  2. hiho

    hiho Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Probably the second most lovely thing I've seen today
     
    hiho, Nov 15, 2012
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  3. jkm

    jkm New Member

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    That is a piece of art, thanks for sharing. I have no idea of the value though!
     
    jkm, Nov 15, 2012
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  4. spannermonkey

    spannermonkey Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    From my experience ,it's even hard to sell them for gold price
     
    spannermonkey, Nov 15, 2012
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  5. wrcmad

    wrcmad Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    @Spanner - is there a standard calc to determine how much of it's weight is gold, and how much is the face cover and other bits and pieces?
     
    wrcmad, Nov 15, 2012
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  6. Aurora et luna

    Aurora et luna Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    A guessestimate of the its' melt value would be around $2500
     
    Aurora et luna, Nov 15, 2012
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  7. wrcmad

    wrcmad Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Geeeezzzzzuzz!
    Thanks AEL.
     
    wrcmad, Nov 15, 2012
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  8. spannermonkey

    spannermonkey Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    You have to drop the movement out first before you weigh it, not something I would do
     
    spannermonkey, Nov 15, 2012
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  9. Argentum

    Argentum Well-Known Member

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    talk to projack he likes them a lot as far as i know
     
    Argentum, Nov 15, 2012
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  10. Aurora et luna

    Aurora et luna Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    I saved this beautiful German pocket watch from the melting pot last year.
    Paid spot and resold it here on this forum for spot.
    Had to make a guessestimate on the weight of the movement and we settled on around 12grams.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Aurora et luna, Nov 15, 2012
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  11. FraterArgentum

    FraterArgentum New Member

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    Sadly I have to agree with the Ape ;)
    The intrinsic gold value outweighs the value of it as an Antique I'm afraid!
     
    FraterArgentum, Nov 15, 2012
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  12. wrcmad

    wrcmad Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    The movement looks like it is mostly gold too?
    I tried to take a better pic:

    [​IMG]
     
    wrcmad, Nov 15, 2012
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  13. spannermonkey

    spannermonkey Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    The movement is never made of gold ,to soft
     
    spannermonkey, Nov 15, 2012
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  14. wrcmad

    wrcmad Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Ahhh, that makes sense. Fair enough.
     
    wrcmad, Nov 15, 2012
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  15. SilverSurfer77

    SilverSurfer77 Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    can you get a close up picture of ALL hallmarks and of the movement?
     
    SilverSurfer77, Nov 15, 2012
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  16. Garnet

    Garnet Active Member Silver Stacker

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    The movement wont be gold, gilt brass. Also the movement holder (the ring around the movement) is normally brass as well.

    From the pocket watches I have scrapped the movement, dial and crown are usually at least half the total weight depending on the type of movement.

    Any hallmarks on the case?
     
    Garnet, Nov 15, 2012
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  17. Dirtbikepilot

    Dirtbikepilot Active Member

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    You could also try asking on Watchuseek. I am sure someone there will be able to give you a fair idea of value.
    Someone will also probably tell you the approx year metal content and what the movement is.

    Nice piece by the way.

    http://forums.watchuseek.com/forum.php
     
    Dirtbikepilot, Nov 15, 2012
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  18. wrcmad

    wrcmad Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    I have taken pics of all markings I could find:

    1. Inside front cover
    2. Inside back cover
    3. On movement
    4. On movement

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    wrcmad, Nov 15, 2012
    #18
  19. wrcmad

    wrcmad Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    hallmarks added :)
     
    wrcmad, Nov 15, 2012
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  20. camylopez

    camylopez Member Silver Stacker

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    the average estimate for gold weight would be around 40% of total weight. those brass insides are quite heavy.
    nothing really special about Silvana. a company from the late 1800s, it would be more sentimental value than anything else.
    I like to check out Christies for values, however doesnt always mean the value that you will get. You need a buyer. unfortunately, most buyers are only pricing at gold value, so realistically, that is the true value. I have a watch with a supposed value of $7000, however if i wanted to sell, i would only get $2000.....
    very important is its keeping time, not that its just ticking, cause its almost imposable to buy parts, not keeping time, practically worthless unless you can find an old repairer from 50 or so years ago and knows what he is doing

    here is a similar one at a christies auction, 20 years ago, looks gold value to me....

    http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...1367&sid=fcb448c1-99e8-4acc-bed7-f5f034e00f00
     
    camylopez, Nov 15, 2012
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