Buying & Collecting articles for The Good Old Times pocket watch site.
Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton, and Illinois stamped serial numbers on the movement — not the case. Those numbers are how you get a year, and why a case date can disagree. … Continue readingHow to date an American pocket watch from its serial number
Jewel count, Lancashire size (16s, 18s), and the word “Adjusted” are the three markings that tell you whether an American pocket watch is a tool or a display piece. … Continue readingHow to read jewel count, size, and “adjusted” on an American pocket watch movement
Open-face watches show the dial all the time and were required for railroad use. Hunter-cases have a spring lid. The first watch you buy should match how you will actually carry it. … Continue readingOpen-face vs hunter-case: which pocket watch style to buy first
Before you sell an antique watch, you want more than a guess at price. A useful evaluation names the maker, grade, case, condition, and what would actually change the number. … Continue readingWhat a free watch evaluation report should include before you sell
Most American pocket watch cases are gold-filled, not solid gold. The marks inside the case tell you the difference — and why a worn edge showing brass is not a fake. … Continue readingGold-filled, rolled-gold, and solid gold pocket watch cases — what the marks actually mean
Mechanical watches and quartz watches are two distinct categories of timepieces that differ in their design, technology, and characteristics. While both… … Continue readingThe benefits of owning a mechanical watch over a quartz one
Fake or counterfeit mechanical watches are a common problem in the watch industry, with many knockoff versions of high-end brands being sold as the real… … Continue readingHow to spot a fake mechanical watch and avoid buying a knockoff
Vintage and modern mechanical watches are two distinct categories of timepieces that differ in their style, design, and technology. Vintage mechanical… … Continue readingThe difference between vintage and modern mechanical watches
Repairing a mechanical watch can be a complex and time-consuming process, requiring specialized tools and expertise. Here is an overview of the process of… … Continue readingThe process of repairing a mechanical watch and common issues to look out for
Mechanical watches are powered by a spring-driven movement, with the energy generated by winding the watch transmitting through a series of gears and… … Continue readingThe different types of mechanical movements and how they work