Is there a good reference book out there I should buy?

[johnny739]

I am new to going to auctions, sales, etc and was hoping to find a good reference book for pocket watches that might give rarity, age, etc. I'm trying not to use the term "value guide", since values differ from place, person, day, hour, etc.. but if it also gave rough estimates that would be nice.

I know there is "Complete Price Guide to watches by Cooksey Shugart" and "Pocket Watches 19th & 20th Century by Alan Shenton" out there, but reviews were mixed so I thought I would post here to see if anyone had suggestions.

I know no book is going to make everyone happy or be totally complete, but every auction I go to, there are a handful of pocket watches and I'd like to find out more on each one (if possible)

Thanks

J

[johnny739]

I am new to going to auctions, sales, etc and was hoping to find a good reference book for pocket watches that might give rarity, age, etc. I'm trying not to use the term "value guide", since values differ from place, person, day, hour, etc.. but if it also gave rough estimates that would be nice.

I know there is "Complete Price Guide to watches by Cooksey Shugart" and "Pocket Watches 19th & 20th Century by Alan Shenton" out there, but reviews were mixed so I thought I would post here to see if anyone had suggestions.

I know no book is going to make everyone happy or be totally complete, but every auction I go to, there are a handful of pocket watches and I'd like to find out more on each one (if possible)

Thanks

J

[terry hall]

welcome johnny....

For general information that you require, Shugart is good...

There are other reference materials, but most are specialized ...

Another Good reference book is "BEGINNING TO END" from Heart of America Press. The pricing is dated, of course, just like other older reference books.

Also the American Watch Encyclopedia is good.

You can also find on line some specific information by using the "FIND" button on these boards. The search engine here is OK.

[Kent]

J:

I agree with Terry. Although it may contain some errors and some of the pricing (now almost a year old) is debatable, the "Complete Price Guide to Watches, No 24," C. Shugart, T. Engle and R. Gilbert, Cooksey Shugart Publications, Cleveland, TN, 2004 (a new edition comes out each year in February. This book is available at libraries, most major bookstores and online at the NAWCC Gift Shop (http://www.nawcc.org/giftshop/americart/bk_watch.htm)) remains the best single guide book for pocket watches. As Terry said, all the other fine books are more specialized in one way or another.

Kent