Criteria for Buying

[haneyk]

I was just wondering what criteria different folks have for buying a pocket watch? I don't collect a certain maker, style, or anything like that. I just collect watches that I think are pretty and that I can carry. I judge them in three areas: the dial, the case, and the movement. A watch has to have something out of the ordinary in at least two of these three areas for me to consider it. How do you make your buying decisions?

[richiec]

I collect mostly Walthams. My criteria is usually an older, higher jeweled watch, has to have a case, has to run or be a movement for which I have some extra parts. Then I start to look at the case style, composition of the case and originality to the movement or maybe a case from the same time period.

[Fred Hansen]

This is an interesting question. Here are my thoughts on what I look for in something for my collection ...

Does it fit my collecting interests? I have a pretty wide range of interests in American pocketwatches ... I like a lot of the unusual high grade products from most the main companies, I like watches by the small to very small makers, I like a lot of private-label watches and also have a specific focus on those from the Hawaiian and Alaskan territories, and I like early and low serial number watches. Most of what I like for my collection will fall into one of these areas, but I definitely wouldn't limit myself either and am always open to something catching my interest that falls outside these areas.

Originality issues. Often a movement should have a specific dial and/or case. If one or the other is missing this is factored into the decision. For some watches without the right dial or case I am still interested at the appropriate price adjustment, but for others I have no interest as being something for my collection.

Condition issues. I am not too concerned that everything is pristine and I can appreciate watches showing honest use ... but I do not like seeing careless abuse, inappropriate restoration, or serious problems. Also I avoid movements with incorrect serial numbered components. For most watches the movement is probably my main focus ... and a sharp movement with an original flawed dial and well worn original case can still be very attractive to me.

Price. Obviously an important consideration in building our collections, when I see a watch I also have a mental figure of where I am interested in purchasing at.

Fred

[Jon Hanson]

knowledge!