Okay, so I’ve got a pocketwatch I inherited a while ago from my G-G-grandfather. The inscription dates the watch at 1897, but I’ve dated the mechanism to 1894. The watch does not work, nor does it even wind, and the glass cover to the face is completely gone.
Now that I’m in a better financial situation, I’d like to get it repaired. What should I be looking for to find a decent, reputable watch repair shop which can handle this? I’d rather not bring in an heirloom and end up with a watch full of cheap plastic cogs which will break in a few days, only so the repair shop can sell the better quality parts, or whatever.
Any idea what I’d be likely to spend?
If it makes any difference, I’m in Manhattan, so any recommendations would be doubly helpful.
As a follow-up, the inscription under the back plate is sharp, but the engraves monogram on the front cover is almost completely worn off. Is it possible to get it touched up to be more visible, or better to leave it as is?
Answer a few questions. If you open the back cover, and then open the “dust lid” inside that(sometimes you need to carefully use a pocket knife or thin-bladed iknife), what is written on the back plate where the wheels, etc are? Does it say how many jewels? 15-17-19-21-23? It might not. That would mean less than 15 jewels. Does it have a “model name?” What company made the watch? Is it an “open face” or a “closed case?” Dial have cracks? You already indicated the case is worn.
Inside the two back lids, any stamping that says “14K or 18K?” And, just because it says this, it could still be gold filled.
I’m asking this to see if you have a watch WORTH getting fixed, because it ain’t cheap.
If all that needed doing was a new glass crystal and a simple cleaning, you’re probably gonna spend $75-100. If the mainspring is broken or the balance, add $50 or more.
Then the question is, is it worth it. If it is so sentimental that you would do it at any price, then go for it. Just be prepared for the cost.
No, it wouldn’t be worth having the case re-engraved.
I’ll cautiously recommend the guy on Hudson (Greenwich Village West) in the block just uptown from Morton Ave on the right hand side (doesn’t seem to have a shop name but signs in the window indicate that they repair shoes and watches). I’ve taken him a mixed batch of old watches (although none as old as what you’re holding) and he sorted them out between those that were worth putting money into and those that were not, and fixed the ones that were worth it. Mine are Elgins from the 1920s, the other watches were a diverse batch of mid-century wristwatches that my girlfriend had me take in.
It’s made by American Waltham Watch Company, serial 7063124. Unfortunately there’s no model name, nor does it display how many jewels. It is a closed case, 14K gold, and yes, the dial does have chips around the edge and a single crack.
