How to Start an Antique Pocket Watch Collection

Antique pocket watches are some of the most intricate pieces of equipment that man has created, and are great for collecting as antiques. There have been a multitude of brands and types of watches over the years, comprised of different materials and all varying in value, which can make starting a collection difficult. Antique pocket watches can range in price from anywhere to less than $100 to millions of dollars in value.^{[1]XResearch source} Starting an antique pocket watch collection is not only potentially lucrative, but can be an incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable hobby.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing Your Research

1
Attend auctions and estate sales that are selling pocket watches. There are websites online that will give you the location and times for live auctions in your area. Many modern day auctions will also give you a list of items that are being auctioned that day with photos and details. Make sure to search for the keyword “pocket watches” to find events that you can attend. Your goal early on is not to bid or purchase any watches, but see what buyers are currently looking for and how much they are willing to spend.
- Beware of buying watches on online auctions. Although they are becoming more prevalent, it’s still hard to determine quality if you’re not in-person and looking at the item.
- While it might not be the best idea to buy watches online, it’s still a good way to see what is selling on the market, so visit online pocket watch auctions as well.
2
Read guides to determine which kind of watches you want to collect. There’s a wealth of knowledge about different brands of watches that you can buy. Names like Howard, Hamilton, Elgin, Hampden, Rolex, Waltham and Ball, are the most popular and sought after currently.^{[2]XResearch source} Watches from before 1865 are also popular because many were used during the civil war.
- Waltham are very collectible and sought after watches from this period and were the first mass produced pocket watches to have interchangeable parts.^{[3]XResearch source}
- As a rule of thumb stay away from unknown brands, especially if you can’t find any information about it online. To determine the brand of your pocket watch, look on the back side of the watch movement, and it should contain its serial number and the company who produced it.
- The value of your watch will vary depending on age, condition and brand.
- Different brands of pocket watches have different aesthetic styles. Make sure to pick one that you enjoy, and not the one that costs the most.
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3
Visit your local National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors chapter. There are people who have been working on watches or selling watches for years and understand the market of antique pocket watches very well. These experts, who specialize in horology, or the study of timekeeping, will be able to give you tips on how to spot a good antique and point you in the direction towards reputable sellers.^{[4]XResearch source} These experts typically are members of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, or NAWCC.
- The NAWCC often puts on full day workshops that will help you hone your skills when looking for antique watches. Make sure to check their event website often.
- If you become really interested in antique pocket watch collecting, considering joining the association.
4
Connect online using forums and email with other antique pocket watch collectors. The best way to understand the antique pocket watch market is to talk to other buyers in that realm. There are many websites and forums that are dedicated to the collection of antique pocket watches, including the official forum for the NAWCC. Antiques will fluctuate in value over time, so it’s important that you stay up on the market to see what watches are trending.
- Google “antique pocket watch forums” to find listings on active websites.
- Don’t believe or trust everything you hear on forums. They are notorious for misinformation. Instead of using it as a trusted resource, use it to open dialogue with other people looking to buy and sell watches.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Purchasing Your First Watches

1
Go to flea markets and antique shops. Flea markets and antique shops are great places to find cheap deals on some potentially good antique pocket watches. While the condition of the watches themselves may not be the best, there is still a good chance that you find a high value watch that’s been marked down in price. This is a good place to go if you don’t mind shopping around before you purchase your first antique pocket watch.
- Do you research before buying anything. It’s hard to determine if there is anything wrong with a pocket watch unless you’ve been examining them for a long time.
- A quick way to see what year the watch was made is to look on the back of the movement for a serial number. Go to the watch company's website, input the serial number, and it should tell you what year it was made in.^{[5]XResearch source}
2
Buy from an antique pocket watch dealer. If you don’t want to take any risks because you’re still new at collecting, going to an antique pocket watch broker will ensure the watch’s authenticity. Another thing they are able to do is guarantee that the watch works on the inside, and that the parts have been quality assured. Because they normally work with watches, there’s a good chance they are knowledgeable about the watch’s valuation, so if you go this route, expect to pay fair market value for your pocket watch.
- Reputation is everything. Make sure that you only buy your antique pocket watches from reputable pocket watch dealers. Check their reviews online to see other customer experiences.
- Let the dealer know what kind of budget you are working with, and that you are a novice when it comes to pocket watch collection. He can make recommendations on where he thinks good place to start would be.
3
Identify the type of watch case you want. Pocket watches are made up of two major components called the watch movement and watch case. The case is the exterior of the pocket watch, usually made of a precious metal and the watch movement is the inside of the watch, and contains all the pieces that make it tick. There are three main types of antique pocket watches called the open face, hunter case, and the demi-hunter or half-hunter case.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Open face watches do not have a metal cover, while hunter face watches do. Demi-hunter cases have a cover with a small see through window so you can still read the time.^{[7]XResearch source}
4
Determine the type of watch movement that you’d want. There are two main types of movements in most pocket watches and include quartz movements which are battery powered and only last a couple of years, and a mechanical movement which is in most traditional antique pocket watches today.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Quartz watches keep more accurate time, but are less sought after as collectibles.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Mechanical movements require upkeep, so if your watch breaks, it may be expensive to repair.
5
Haggle to get the best price for your watch. Many watch sellers can be flexible with the prices on their antique pocket watches. Make sure to haggle with the person selling it. Try to get them to reduce the price by telling them that you can’t spend that much, or that this is your first time and you want to start a collection on limited funds. Make sure to look up the value of similar watches online, so you have a rough idea of how much the watch might cost. If you are buying a watch on an online auction, wait for a time where there isn’t many people bidding, and avoid bidding wars.
- The more you save, the more you can invest in your next antique pocket watch.
- Professional pocket watch sellers will probably be a little less flexible with their pricing. Haggle if you are buying one at an antique shop or outdoor market.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Caring For Your Collection

1
Store them in individual cloth bags. Ideally, you want to store each pocket watch in its own individual bag in a secured place where it’s not going to fall or have anything damage it. Storing other items in the bags can scratch the pocket watch and hurt its value. Some plastics contain chemicals which corrode metal and other material over time, so avoid using plastic bags.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Don't store your antiques in damp or humid places because the moisture could damage the internal parts of the watch.
- If the watch has a face, make sure to close it when you store it. Place the watch face up.
2
Check your watches to see if they need repair. In many cases the cost of repairing a watch is more than the cost of the watch itself. Examine the outside of the watch to see if there are any rough abrasions or scratches. Damage on the outside indicates potential damage with internal components. Take out the watch movement and and look for any missing springs or screws which would indicate that it hasn’t been repaired in a long time. Try winding and setting the watch. The dials should turn smoothly and not jerk while you are turning them. If you hear grinding, there is probably an issue with the internal components. If the watch is fully wound but not running, then something is broken on the watch and it needs to be repaired.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Avoid rust at all costs because it indicates that the inside parts may be rusted as well.
3
Clean your pocket watch once a month. Avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners that may destroy the quality of your watch. Using metal polishers and cleaners that are made specifically for the type of metal that your watch is made of. Remember to use a lint free cloth, and don't get your pocket watch wet.
- If you use a glass cleaner for the face of your watch, make sure it is alcohol and ammonia free.
- If you never clean your pocket watch, dust may settle in the internal components and build up over time.
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Community Q&A

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Question
How can I find out how old is my pocket watch is?
Community Answer
Open the watch, take out the movement from the case and look on the back of it. There, you should have markings for the manufacturer, where it was made, and a serial number. If you go to the manufacturer's website and input the serial number, it will tell you how old the pocket watch is.
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What is the difference between a gold plated and gold filled watch?
Community Answer
Gold plating is a very thin layer of gold that's applied for aesthetic purpose and has no inherent value. Gold filled watches have layers of gold pressed on them, and there is a much larger portion of gold found in the watch and it adds to the value because it is a precious metal.
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Warnings

Be careful of vague descriptions.
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If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is!
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Check out the sellers feedback ratings if buying from eBay if you are buying online.
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