Bought a pocket watch case is it worth anything?

[edteach]

Its a Duber size 18 I believe key wind watch case. Silverine. I polished it up and it looks good. All the case covers are fine and snap closed. Glass is the thick crystal and in good condition. I have no idea if it has value or if its not worth anything. I was also thinking of putting in a new movement if anyone has a recommendation

. Thanks

 

[mosesgodfrey]

Howdy—I believe silverine is a base metal, but there’s probably $50-$100 in having a complete case. If you look around, likely a nice movement will present itself.

 

[musicguy]

It's an American case maybe $10-$25 it's a nickel alloy case.


Rob

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

I'm going to shoot somewhere in the middle... $50, but it would need a good crystal. (Can't tell if it is scratched.) $30-40 without the new crystal.

 

[Appa69]

It's a fine case. I like nickel cases best because they are durable and you don't have to worry about wearing through to a different metal underneath. This case is for a key-wound movement. I would recommend trying to source an American movement to fit in it. Definitely a very good starting point.

I'm unsure if all key-wound cases had the key holes in the same place or not. Perhaps someone else could educate us on that and maybe what movements might work well in there.

 

[Appa69]

Here is a listing that shows a case which is very similar, if not identical, to yours. Just to give you an idea.

18s HAMPDEN PRIVATE LABEL CHAMPION A. ARON RARE NICKEL KWKS POCKET WATCH 1880 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 18s HAMPDEN PRIVATE LABEL CHAMPION A. ARON RARE NICKEL KWKS POCKET WATCH 1880 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Jim Haney]

Yes,

Appa69 is correct that you would need an Hampden KW/KS movement for your case

 

[edteach]

I picked this on up just a bit ago on eBay. Says its running. I will have to source a key. Should fit my case. I found most all the major watch makers that have the same case in size 18. BTW what does KS KW mean. I get the key wind one but KS?

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

Key set. Note the square where the hands are mounted. You use the key on that square to set the time.

 

[roughbarked]

and they aren't always the same key.

 

[edteach]

I don't know the size key and will wait to get the movement and measure with my micrometer.

 

[Jim Haney]

Keys are no big deal, about $1.50 each, the most common on American KW/KS are 3,4,5.

 

[MrRoundel]

Don't be surprised if the movement has a different dial, or the dial has a different movement. The dial in the image is an "American Watch Co." dial. If it's on a Hampden, it's out of place. It also reminds me a lot of the dials that are on some early Waltham model 72's.

Or, again, am I missing something?

 

[Jim Haney]

The dial is on an Illinois Watch Co. Movement, so it is a mixed up mess.

 

[edteach]

A mess? Why not a hot mess. LOL

 

[edteach]

I will look at it once its here. If the dial is something that bothers me for 20 bucks I can get an Illinois one on ebay.

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

The Illinois uses a '4' key.

The American dial is a nice one if that's what you get. Probably worth more than the movement. (As long as no one has sawed off the feet.)

 

[topspin]

If (heaven forbid) all else fails - you can always start again, with either a private label or a Swiss Fake. Guaranteed to at least look pretty interesting if nothing else.

 

[terry hall]

For the new movement... there will probably be a small locating pin on the outer diameter of the movement, this pin will insert into a corresponding hole in the case.. there's many that have had that pin filed down, but it actually helps to locate the movement correctly and maintain alignment with the key hole.

Yes, location of the key hole can vary between manufacturers

Sometimes the end of the key can be worn enough to not engage with the square for setting the hands, this occurs with old, vintage keys... I have seen some keys with the 'excess' filed off to get a good square all the way to the edge.

good luck!

 

[Appa69]

The dial is on an Illinois Watch Co. Movement, so it is a mixed up mess.

I hadn't noticed... I'm actually a bit surprised that they would fit together. Didn't most manufacturers have dial feet in different locations?

 

[Paul Regan]

If my memory serves me right, I think that is a fairly scarce AWCo dial with “arrows in” at 5 min markers and script signature. Should be on a high grade AWC movement.
Paul

 

[Jim Haney]

The Gold book give dial feet locations on all dials,maybe a match, doubtful, most people use dial dots, small 2 sided adhesive that let dials without feet be mounted on anything with the same plate size.

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

I hadn't noticed... I'm actually a bit surprised that they would fit together. Didn't most manufacturers have dial feet in different locations?

Elgin and Waltham used the same dial foot locations for most of their 18-size movements: 16.5, 36.5 and 54.0. Illinois is close at 16.5, 36.5 and 53.0. My guess is that the dial has one foot clipped to fit the Illinois movement.

 

[edteach]

As long as it fits and runs I am not sure I care about the dial being wrong. Could very well be an old repair. My only worry is that the hole in the case does not line up right with the key wind. Seller takes returns so if all fails I can return it. I can look on eBay for an Illinois size 18 dial and then sell this one or keep it in case I run across a Waltham that needs a dial. Or maybe I will look for a nice 18 Waltham that has a bad dial on it and a case and just add another watch to the collection.

 

[edteach]

Here is one I found on eBay. Illinois size 18 dial in good condition.

 

[edteach]

The watch movement arrived and it runs really well. I can not check time because I can not really put a good wind in it until I get the key set. Keys were 14 keys for 10 bucks. I used a small pair of tweezers for watch making to put a small wind in it and the balance wheel just took off. So instead of taking it apart I just oiled it and its on the bench until the Illinois dial I won on eBay arrives. It also fits very nice in the case. I won the auction for the dial I posted above. BTW you guys were correct one leg was cut off. Over all the AWC dial is in very good condition. It could be used with just two legs or if someone wanted to take a rod and solder it to the dial. I would leave it as is and just do two legs.

 

[Appa69]

I agree that two feet is probably enough. The dial does look to be in good condition and, as other have mentioned, is worth a fair amount on its own. Nice watch!

 

[edteach]

I received the Illinois dial and if fit perfectly. The movement fit perfectly in the case. Here she is all finished.