Tips for Collecting Antique Pocket Watches
An antique pocket watch is among some of the most coveted collectibles around. The search for and purchase of an antique pocket watch constitutes more than just bargain shopping. Of course, your goal is to find the pocket watch you want and pay a fair price for it. It is pretty easy to know when you have found the watch you want to add to your collection, but it may be a little more difficult to determine whether the asking price is fair, inflated, or a really great bargain. With this in mind, following are a few suggestions to get you started.
One of the best places to shop for antique pocket watches is on eBay. As with anything you buy, the first step to buying an antique pocket watch is to know what to look for and what other people are paying. eBay is a good source for this information as well. You can do a search for what has sold and the selling price. There are also antique pocket watch guides available that you can use learn more about the different types of collectible pocket watches and pricing. These sources can help you narrow the list of antique pocket watches you want to collect. You may want to start with only one type such as an antique railroad pocket watch and learn all you can about that particular watch.
Some of the things you will want to know about the pocket watch you are buying are:
- 1. Who is the manufacturer?
- 2. When was the watch made?
- 3. Is the serial number readable - this is important so you can research it in your guide book or using online references. Information you should be able to find using the serial number are the age, how rare the pocket watch is, and a rough monetary value.
- 4. If you are shopping online, you will want to make sure the watch you see in the picture is the watch you will be buying.
- 5. You will want to know whether the watch you are considering is an original. You may be able to find this information using the serial number. If it is an original, it will likely be more valuable.
- 6. Does the seller have any information on what has been done to the watch such as repairs, cleaning and refinishing. You may also want to know who did the repairs and the cost. On the same note, you will want to know the current condition of the watch - are there any mechanical problems, does it run properly now or is it sporadic, are there any scratches dents, or missing parts, is the case worn.
- 7. Is the seller the original owner? If not, where did they get the pocket watch and do they know the history?
These are just a few suggestions you may want to consider . Pocket watches hold a lot of sentimental value and are a coveted family heirloom. Collecting antique pocket watches can be a relatively inexpensive and rewarding hobby - if you do your homework first.