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

wrcmad

wrcmad

Well-Known Member
Silver Stacker
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.

4088_watch1.jpg

4088_watch2.jpg

4088_watch3.jpg
 
That is a piece of art, thanks for sharing. I have no idea of the value though!
 
@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 said:
@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?
Click to expand...

You have to drop the movement out first before you weigh it, not something I would do
 
wrcmad said:
Aurora et luna said:
A guessestimate of the its' melt value would be around $2500
Click to expand...

Geeeezzzzzuzz!
Thanks AEL.
Click to expand...

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.

6_img_0493.jpg


6_img_0495.jpg
 
spannermonkey said:
wrcmad said:
@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?
Click to expand...

You have to drop the movement out first before you weigh it, not something I would do
Click to expand...

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

4088_watch4.jpg
 
wrcmad said:
spannermonkey said:
wrcmad said:
@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?
Click to expand...

You have to drop the movement out first before you weigh it, not something I would do
Click to expand...

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

http://forums.silverstackers.com/uploads/4088_watch4.jpg
Click to expand...

The movement is never made of gold ,to soft
 
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?
 
I have taken pics of all markings I could find:

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

4088_hallmark1.jpg

4088_hallmark2.jpg

4088_hallmark3.jpg

4088_hallmark4.jpg
 
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
 
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