How much is my pocket watch worth?

• What are good pocket watch brands?
• How much are old pocket watches worth?
• What pocket watch do I have?
• Open-faced
• Hunter-case
• Pocket watches by type
• Other qualities to watch out for
• Where to sell antique pocket watches
• Who buys old pocket watches?
• Can I sell broken pocket watches?
• What to look for when buying a pocket watch
• Where to buy a pocket watch
• Understanding pocket watch serial numbers

Deciding where to sell pocket watches may be difficult if you don’t know all that much about the world of horology. There are many options to consider, from selling privately to going to auction, but it may not always be worth the trouble. The true value of a pocket watch depends on a few factors. Age, rarity and brand will all affect the sale price. Chiefly, the brand name will represent most of the watch’s value – good pocket watch brands can sell for several thousand pounds. We’re here to help you get a better picture of pocket watch values.

What are good pocket watch brands?

While pocket watches may not sell for as much as other antiques, in some cases you can really make a pretty penny. The best pocket watch brands are the old classics, such as:

• Waltham – Waltham was established in 1850 and is well-known for its innovative techniques in mass pocket watch production. Their most famous timepiece is the Waltham Traveller.
• Tissot – Established in 1853, Tissot is known for affordable Swiss-made watches. They are firm favourites amongst collectors.
• Smiths – Known for their S. Smith signature on the dial, Smiths was founded in 1851, and primarily specialised in military and pocket watches.
• Omega – Swiss-made Omega watches were founded in 1848 and can fetch significant sums.
• Longines – Founded in Switzerland in 1832, Longines is known for its winged hourglass logo – the oldest registered trademark still active today.
• Rolex – Established as Wilsdorf and Davis in 1905, the brand became Rolex in 1908. In 2018, Rolex was ranked Forbes’ 71^st most valuable brand.
• Ebel – Ebel was founded in 1911 in Switzerland. Today, Ebel watches are fairly rare, with one of their most famous gifted by Elvis Presley to a gospel singer mentor in 1974.
• Tudor – Tudor was registered in 1926 by Hans Wildorf, the same man who founded the Rolex SA brand.

How much are old pocket watches worth?

Older pocket watches tend to be more valuable than their modern counterparts. When they were first introduced, they were often handmade with gold or silver. and inlaid with precious gemstones. Later on, stainless steel became more readily available. This led to pocket watches becoming more mainstream and affordable for the working classes. As such, many stainless steel pocket watches have a relatively low-value today. The most valuable pocket watches are Swiss brands, which hold their value well. For example, Ebel watches are rarely valued lower than £500, while a Waltham watch could be worth up to £1,000.

What pocket watch do I have?

Pocket watches can be categorised by the watch face, as well as type. It’s important to understand which category your watch falls into to get the best-selling price.

Open-faced

Open-faced watches, otherwise known as Lepine, come without a cover to protect the crystal. After 1908, it became compulsory for railroad service watches to be open-faced.

Hunter-case

These pocket watches feature a case with a spring-hinged circular metal cover. They were popular amongst fox hunters.

Pocket watches by type

Broadly speaking, the four most popular types of pocket watches are:

• Pocket watches for the “wealthy classes”, often made of gold or silver and featuring precious stones such as diamonds
• Stainless steel watches, available in the mainstream and largely not very valuable, unless they have a historical inscription
• Branded pocket watches, which hold their value, sometimes just for the inner parts alone
• Specialist pocket watches, such as railroad or military watches

Other qualities to watch out for

Pocket watches can also be categorised by watch movements, for example, key-wind and key-set, stem-wind and stem-set, or stem-wind and lever-set/pin-set.

Where to sell antique pocket watches

By their nature, pocket watches do not fetch as much at auction as other vintage or antique items. As such, it’s unlikely you’ll make a lot of money selling privately on a site like eBay. The best way to make money privately is by selling a group of pocket watches instead. Be wary that antique pocket watches – anything over 100 years old – are not necessarily valuable. If you’re selling at auction, the fees may not be worth the final sale price. However, if you’re confident your antique pocket watch is valuable, ask for a valuation first. You could even use this information to sell to a collector privately.

Who buys old pocket watches?

The best way to sell old pocket watches is through us at Vintage Cash Cow. We’ll buy old pocket watches at no cost to you, regardless of the condition. That’s no selling fees and no valuation fees! We’ll even cover your postage. Simply request a welcome pack and use the enclosed Freepost stickers to post your items to us – fully insured.

Can I sell broken pocket watches?

Broken pocket watches are harder to sell, but not impossible. If yours is branded, a collector may be interested in buying it for parts. If it’s not branded, it may be more economical to sell a group of pocket watches to offset the fees. Remember, we’ll buy your pocket watch whatever the condition. If it’s stopped and you don’t know why missing pieces or has been damaged in some way, we still want to see it! Sell your pocket watch with Vintage Cash Cow

What to look for when buying a pocket watch

If you’re buying to sell, you should look for Swiss-made, branded watches. These may become more valuable over time, so make sure you have regular valuations when selling. Ensure you do your research on the watch itself by, for example, looking up the serial number.

Where to buy a pocket watch

If you’re researching where to buy antique pocket watches, it’s best to look for specialised auctions. For watches with lesser value, contact private sellers. Always check that they’re reputable by testing their knowledge of watches, and looking at their previous customer history.

Understanding pocket watch serial numbers

A serial number is not only a mark of authenticity, but it can also indicate how many of that particular watch was made. This may help you to value your watch, but don’t dismiss it if it doesn’t have one. The Pocket Watch Database is a great place to search for serial numbers and lets you search by brand. Selling a pocket watch has never been easier than with Vintage Cash Cow. We offer great prices, no fees -unlike auctions or some private sellers – and expert valuations. Contact the team today.