Waltham Salesman Presentation Watch-worth?

[flathead38]

My wife went to an Arts and Crafts Fair today and saw an interesting pocket watch. The salesperson told her that it was a salesmans presentation watch. It was in a wooden case and had a metal cradle that allowed the wach to stand up from the case to look at. The back of the watch was glass so that one could see in the watch. He told her that the center wheel was gold and that the jewels were actually diamonds. She said that the watch and the walnut case were in prestine condition. She was about to but it till he quoted her $1200.00 for it. Has anyone ever heard of such a piece and does the price sound reasonable?

[Don Dahlberg]

It is against the rules of this board and the tax exempt status of NAWCC to discuss values of a specific watch.

We can talk about value in general. High grade watches with special features such as very high jewel counts, wind indicators, repeater functions and other complications can demand a great deal of money from serious collectors. Watches of historical significance can also demand high prices. Of course, some watches are in heavy solid gold cases that can add significantly to the value of the watch just in their gold value.

The fact that it was a presentation watch does not mean much. One person might be presented a 7 jewel Elgin in a gold filled case when he retired. The company President might retire with a Hamilton 23 jewel 950 in a solid gold case.

It all depends on the watch movement and the case.

Don

[terry hall]

I have seen these 'display' boxes around... they are a neat addition to a collection...

I 'think' they were called 'travelers'... allowing use as a desk clock or nite table clock...

as far as the diamonds .... "SOME" movements that Waltham produced did have diamond endstones.... but they are not plentiful...

I doubt this seller has ultimate knowledge of the existance of the diamond endstones....