Possible Swiss Fake?

[MikeC]

I'm still fairly new at this so I could be wrong, but - I just saw a watch this evening that was listed on eBay as an "Antique Pocket Watch - Washington Nicely Preserved 1872 Pocket Watch" also in the description "extremely rare Washington pocket watch. Made between 1872-1874 by the Illinois Watch Company. According to The Complete Guide to Watches Vol. 25 only 50 of these watches were produced (Pg 413)." As it happens this was being sold by a local jeweler so I went to see it. On the face is "Washington" and on the movement on the upperplate in "Washington Watch Company". What you don't see in the pictures are "Swiss" on the face and "Swiss" stamped on the movement. Also stamped on the Movement is "adjusted 2 pos.", "7 jewels". Also on the lower plate was stamped "ref 735". Inside the case back is stamped "Made In Canada". I don't think this is the rare 1872 Washington Watch Company watch? THis watch was listed as item: 5045320985

The watch was running very well and the movement was very clean. Would anybody have any idea as to the real age and manufacturer of this watch? (see Pictures)
Thanks,
Mike
http://www3.sympatico.ca/michael332/pic/0f_1.jpg
http://www3.sympatico.ca/michael332/pic/17_1.jpg

[MikeC]

I'm still fairly new at this so I could be wrong, but - I just saw a watch this evening that was listed on eBay as an "Antique Pocket Watch - Washington Nicely Preserved 1872 Pocket Watch" also in the description "extremely rare Washington pocket watch. Made between 1872-1874 by the Illinois Watch Company. According to The Complete Guide to Watches Vol. 25 only 50 of these watches were produced (Pg 413)." As it happens this was being sold by a local jeweler so I went to see it. On the face is "Washington" and on the movement on the upperplate in "Washington Watch Company". What you don't see in the pictures are "Swiss" on the face and "Swiss" stamped on the movement. Also stamped on the Movement is "adjusted 2 pos.", "7 jewels". Also on the lower plate was stamped "ref 735". Inside the case back is stamped "Made In Canada". I don't think this is the rare 1872 Washington Watch Company watch? THis watch was listed as item: 5045320985

The watch was running very well and the movement was very clean. Would anybody have any idea as to the real age and manufacturer of this watch? (see Pictures)
Thanks,
Mike
http://www3.sympatico.ca/michael332/pic/0f_1.jpg
http://www3.sympatico.ca/michael332/pic/17_1.jpg

[Kent]

I'm not sure that its a Swiss fake, as it doesn't try to seem to be something its not. It looks like an ordinary Swiss watch as might have been contracted for, for the North American market, anytime from the mid-20s to the mid- 50s, or later.

[MikeC]

Hi Kent,
You don't think that the Washington Watch Company" stamped on the movement makes it a fake or should it be termed better "imatation"? I do think the seller went overboard on his description.
Mike

[doug sinclair]

Mike,

It could be that the Washington name which I believe was used by Montomery Ward in the USA was not copyrighted for use on watches in Canada (Canadian case). Thereby, the use of the name was legal in Canada, and perhaps the watch might not have been considered an imitation or fake, in Canada. It definitely is not Illinois, and definitely not from circa 1870!

[MikeC]

Doug,
Thanks for the info. A little historic background to put things in perspective. What this watch have any value for a collector? Even if it is from a noveltyitem?
Mike

[Kent]

Mike:

I'm sorry, as it says in the upper left-hand corner of this page, we don't provide timepiece values here. Although this type of watch has some interest to some collectors, its difficult to give you a reference in which you could look up the value. However, I can say that its probably a modest value.

[MikeC]

Hi Kent,
I did not phrase my question well. What I was trying to say was, from a historical and intrinsic point of view would there be any point in adding a watch like this to a collection.
Mike

[Harvey Mintz]

Mike -

It all depends on why and what you collect. I have some very modest valued watches in my collection, and also some expensive watches.

The bottom line is: if you like it and want to keep it, go ahead and add it to your collection. Other people's opinions don't really matter when it comes to what you collect.

[Kent]

Mike:

I have a few "Swiss Fakes" and other lower grade Swiss watches in my collection as examples of the type. There are other collectors who get more deeply involved with these.

Good luck,