Genealogy Chat

I have put some photos on the photo page of an antique fob watch. I wondered if anybody could tell me (a) the maker and (b) the year in which it was made. I did google antique pocket watches and found a mans one with a similar dial.

The glass came out of it recently and I took it to the jeweller who sent it off to a watchmaker to be repaired, but the UV (?) light that was used to set the glue made the black paint run a bit. I presume my gt grandmother had the numbers painted black to make it easier to read.

The watchmaker did not install the dial in the correct position, something I will want him to do free of charge. I am wondering whether I should ask him to clean all the black paint off, and whether or not to get the numbers repainted. I have no intention of selling this watch, since it is an heirloom, but it needs to be restored to better condition than it is now. Any advice from anybody much appreciated.

Huia.

It doesnt sound like he's done a very good job, If it has hall marks they should tell you when and where, Black paint/Uv light/sending away ?
I used to work in a repairing jewellers and they only glued a glass in if it was the wrong size to start with, and black will only run if it comes in contact with water ? The dial should be enamel, I would say try a cotton bud , just lick it and see if any black comes off ?
Find another man who knows his stuff.

Thank you Lindsey. I would first have to try to open the dial side. The other side opens easily enough, being the side where the watch is wound up (it has a separate key for winding).
I will take the watch to my sister next week to see if her watchmaker friend can give me further advice.
Huia.

Hi Huia

This watch looks quality rather than mass produced. I love the painting on the back, and I can't tell but are they jewels decorating the face?

If you can open the back, you may well find an inscription inside, showing the maker and year of manufacture. Failing that, is it a gold watch? The hallmark will also identify the manufacturer, and year of hallmarking, the hallmark is likely to be inside the back.

I advise going to a specialist antique watchmaker for repair - he could probably also sort your ruined numbers out again.

Good luck

Duncan

Duncan, they are not jewels, just some sort of paint (enamelled I presume).

Inside it has (stamped) KIX in an incomplete oblong. Further down are stamped the numbers:

4
9099

Further down but you have to turn it the other way up to read it somebody has scratched 8116W.

I dont know if it is a genuine gold watch or some other metal that looks like gold.

I did get a book from the library, Jackson's Hallmarks. I cant see KIX in it. The book is English, Scottish and Irish silver & gold marks. Perhaps the watch is French or Swiss. Or there might be hallmarks inside the other part if I can open it. I havent tried very hard yet. It seems tight. Perhaps the person who 'repaired' it glued it shut.

I will visit the jeweller when he opens on Monday and ask him. I will also ask who the watchmaker was and what his qualifications are, and ask for something in writing on everything that he did to the watch, just in case we have a fight on our hands.

Huia.

Mick/Michael.

Look at the Boards summary on the left. Success videos and photos. Click on that and then scroll down to see the photos.

If you try to add photos, make sure they are not over 150kb, otherwise you will behead people.

Huia.

Huia, I don't think the marks you are describing are the hallmark.

Good luck at the jewellers, he/she should be able to tell you a lot more.

Duncan

I took the watch in to the jeweller today. He doesnt think it is gold as it has no hallmark. I think he said it looks like copper (or was it brass?). The man who put the glass back in is just somebody who does that quickly as the jeweller said I wouldnt have had it back by Christmas otherwise. Not that I was in any hurry. I should have waited until after Christmas.
I said I wanted the dial restored to the proper position at no charge to me. I dont know why the other man had altered it anyway if all he does is put glass back in. The jeweller says he will send it to a specialist in antique watch repairs. I just hope I dont get charged for it. I could accept $10 or 20 but no more to put right somebody elses mistake. I also hope the specialist can give me an idea of the age of the watch and any interesting details.

Huia.

Huia, have you tried googling the "Horological" society?
They deal with all clocks, watches etc,.
Taff
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Now, too late, I've found your photos, I see what you mean about cutting the heads off, and the descrition bit doesnt appear either, after 4 pictures I could nt reach the save button grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Lets hope you get a result this time. shes very saucy !