No great buys lately-So nothing to show you guys

[HenryB]

Everything on Ebay the last two weeks has been going too high for me. Have not bought a watch for 2 weeks, and I am getting the shakes waiting for a "find".
Got a couple of repair tools lately, but thats it.

Only buys I seen lately is what a couple of Jeff Hess's watches went for today-Saturday afternoon. :eek: :smile:

[HenryB]

Everything on Ebay the last two weeks has been going too high for me. Have not bought a watch for 2 weeks, and I am getting the shakes waiting for a "find".
Got a couple of repair tools lately, but thats it.

Only buys I seen lately is what a couple of Jeff Hess's watches went for today-Saturday afternoon. :eek: :smile:

[4thdimension]

Harry,
Sounds like you've got the urge to find some
good stuff but, don't we all? What is it you are looking for? It should be a rule that you can't complain about not finding stuff if you haven't broadcast what you're looking for.
I haven't checked your profile notes to see if your wants are listed there. If so. please disregard this post. :smile:
-Cort

[HenryB]

I like the Hamilton's, 18 sizes.

[Tom Huber]

Henry, No watches on e-bay? Go out on the street. I have never bought on e-bay and I find at least one good buy a month, and I don't pay an arm and a leg. My most recent purchase was a nice Hamilton 992 c 1911 in the original GF case with no brass showing, no hairlines on the dial and running for $60 at an antique mart.

Good watches are still out there. Please don't make the mistake of gluing yourself to the computer.

Tom

[HenryB]

I could pound the pavement in Houston forever Tom, and not find anything.

The prices in the antiques mall are outrageous, and they are junk.

I scored today on Ebay with an Illinois, and what I think is probably a Swiss Fake Waltham :smile:

[Jon Hanson]

Or, hit the old ladies!

[Greg Davis]

Poor Henry... I know your pain.

Listen to an old pro ... don't waste your money on Swiss fakes. They bring no joy, and simply deplete the funds in your pockets for something you really want.

You complain that prices are high in antique malls and the watches are junk... but you buy a Swiss fake? :rolleyes:

Well, truthfully, I know what you mean. I've seen dozens of broken 7 Jewel Elgins in GF cases marked $295 or higher. Too ridiculous for words. :razz:

- Greg

[HenryB]

Greg-I will have to get out to some of the smaller cities sometime to scout things out,but I am not holding my breath, that they are any different.

It never dawned on me that it might be a Swiss fake, until after I bid on it. :redface:
Not that much invested, I will "show"it as soon as it arrives, for educational purposes. :smile:

[Doc Mark]

Good Evening, Henry, and All,

The very first pocket watch I bought, when I was trying to find a period correct, 18th century fusee, was a Swiss fake! I found it in an antique store, and as I had not yet purchased any research books. I didn't know anyone who could tell me "yes" or "no", so I bought it for $80. It is marked "Providence Watch Co" and, now that I have read a few books, I see all the classic marks of it being a Swiss Fake. It is in a Duber "Silverine" OF case, has the fake, flat, blue "jewels", and has a small second hand, that is not countersunk. I think this watch really dates 1850-1870, and to top it all off, it isn't even a fusee! But, at the time, it looked old and neat to me, and I had high hopes that it would turn out to be a wonderful buy. The mainspring was broken and I paid a watch repairman $80 to put in a new main spring, and to provide a couple of keys for it. So, I have a total of $160 invested, and that watch now helps me show others what NOT to buy, unless they are actually looking for such a watch! :smile: Hey, it runs, keeps "ok" time, though not NEAR as well as my 1871 H.Z. Culver Elgin, and has a warm place in my heart because it was my FIRST real pocket watch....my Westclox Scotty not withstanding!! :biggrin:

You all know about my little Greems fusee, which is very probably Swiss, too. But, THAT one is very special to me, because it is a real fusee, was quite inexpensive to obtain, and will make a wonderful watch, when fully restored!! So, there you have it: "A Tale of Two Swiss-ies"! Take care and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark

[GD1]

I sell or rather attempt to sell, along with antiques of various description, a few watches in a space I rent at an antique mall in the Midwest area. For at least six months I have had priced in my case a clean 992 for $225.00, a 18 size Bunn Special open face Gothic dial in a nice GF case for $225.00, an 18 size Hamiton 21 jewel 940, mint dial, great GF case for $245.00, several Elgin and Waltham KW's in nickel cases with chains and keys for 85-115. Maybe half a dozen garden variety Elgins, Walthams, etc. various sizes 7-17 jewels, all running and most with chains. and none over $100.00 and most $55.00 to $85.00. Anyone who asks and almost everyone does, knows that it is standard policy to be able to get 10% off by asking. In the last six months I have not sold a watch. I have offers occasionaly. Most are for less than what I paid for the watch in question. I agree that a lot of dealers {not watch people} put exorbitant prices on low end stuff but apparently everyone also wants a bargain or something they can turn for a profit. At least in my area.

[Doc Mark]

Good Evening, GD1,

Where are you located? Tomorrow, or the next day, I'm leaving for a solo drive to Milwaukee. I'll be crossing Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. So, if you're located in a place I can reach, I might be able to stop and pay you a visit. Though my main interest is in verge fusee watches from the 18th and early 19th centuries, it sounds like you have some nice watches for very fair prices. If you have something that you think might interest me, please give me a shout, and I'll try to swing by to check out your offerings. Thanks, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark

[HenryB]

Never give up hope :biggrin:

This is more like it, sell the darn things as a LOT.

Heck almost could change out a watch per day or imagine the hand,dial, and case switching possibilitys :eek:


My house looks like a broken balance staff hospital as it is, so I did not need any more projects at this time. :biggrin:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10302&item=4110277487&rd=1

[Fred Hansen]

GD1 -

I live in the Midwest also. If you post or email me your location I will stop in next time I am passing through that area. And if that 18 size Bunn Special has a nice condition original dial and movement I will probably come home with it.

Fred