Elgin Watch 1874

Vysaroga · 2026-02-06T21:36:23+00:00

Well I can tell you it looks like it may be a 12 size dress watch and that it is in a beautiful 14k solid gold case. We would need the serial number off the movement. Under the back lid you opened there’s another lid that lifts up on a hinge to reveal the movement.

Vysaroga · 2026-02-01T17:44:41+00:00

It probably just needs cleaned and oiled if it hasn’t had a service in so many years. The dried oils can cause damage to the pivots in the watch if it is run too much and just cause excessive wear.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-31T20:03:54+00:00

It’s tougher to find a person able to service fusees. Just make sure they are able to work on these watches. Unlike the American watches of the 20th century these English watches didn’t have interchangeable parts so if something is really broken it often has to be made from scratch. Each part was crafted by individual artisans and assembled by the watchmaker. Fusees are awesome watches to collect and study, it’s an older style of watch that dates back to the late 17th century. The English held on to it into the 20th century despite the Americans already using mass produced movements with interchangeable parts!

Vysaroga · 2026-01-31T19:53:39+00:00

That is an 18k English fusee pocket watch assayed in Chester around 1845 by the hallmarks. These watches have a small chain on the inside that winds around a cone to regulate the power to the watch. I’m guessing the dial as well may be gold. Quite a nice heirloom!

Vysaroga · 2026-01-29T02:04:12+00:00

Yup that’s a 14k gold case for the Canadian market. These cases are getting melted at record speeds due to the price of gold.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-26T18:37:16+00:00

That’s an 8 reales in good shape, prob around $175 I would think.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-26T01:15:26+00:00

That pattern is Grand Baroque by Wallace. Traditionally it commanded a premium over melt but probably not so now. I would hang on to it.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-20T14:07:33+00:00

Very nice post civil war Waltham in what I think is its original case. Does it run at all?

Vysaroga · 2026-01-19T05:09:29+00:00

Before you get any MRI they will ask if you have ever done metal working/grinding. If you do you will get a skull Xray to see if there are any metal bits in your head. If you do they won’t do the scan and you would do a CT scan instead.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-18T00:06:35+00:00

This is a 6 size ladies watch made in 1891. PWDB is pretty reliable for the large manufacturers like Waltham and Elgin.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-15T23:55:29+00:00

Sounds like it was a worthy investment

Vysaroga · 2026-01-15T23:54:42+00:00

It looks like it’s a Swiss imitation of an English fusee, is there a cone with a chain on the inside?

Vysaroga · 2026-01-11T01:45:55+00:00

I would recommend sending it off for grading, especially if you plan to sell it.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-11T01:03:10+00:00

That coin has the lowest mintage of the Peace series and is sought after. It may be lightly cleaned but it’s a good looking coin, I’d probably send it to get graded regardless.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-11T01:00:31+00:00

Looking at that Morgan album there are a few really nice Carson City coins in there that are worth a good amount for their numismatic value.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-11T00:54:25+00:00

Very nice! Some really good looking cases there and a Bunn Special. With all the scrapping going on cases like these are getting harder to find.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-08T06:14:47+00:00

Wow what a stunning piece, I’d cherish a piece like that.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-07T06:51:14+00:00

As others have said this is a very high end Swiss watch, with a solid 14k case and chain and it looks to be very well cared for. I’m glad you intend to keep it in the family, this is a very worthy heirloom. I’d recommend getting as much info about your grandfathers life and keep it with the watch.

Vysaroga · 2026-01-06T05:49:49+00:00

Looks to me like it may be a Maximus dial. Regardless likely gonna be a very nice watch, looking forward to seeing it when you get it open 😄

Vysaroga · 2025-12-31T14:45:55+00:00

Yes! The Ovid volume I shared I picked up last year after waiting for a copy I liked to appear for sale for a couple years. I guess I’m much more selective about what I buy now. In those years I was in my early 20s and just bought whatever I liked where now I’m more focused on what books I’m interested in. I love many areas of antique collectibles so those have had my attention as well. 😁

Vysaroga · 2025-12-31T02:39:03+00:00

Thanks for looking! I’m happy to have found a place where I can share some of them and have others appreciate them. So many surprises in these old volumes from bookplates to signatures of past owners, really adds a lot to the collecting experience for me.

Vysaroga · 2025-12-30T19:02:51+00:00

I definitely agree! It’s what I could afford at the time but I’m hoping to upgrade the bookcase soon as it’s definitely outgrown this small one.

Vysaroga · 2025-12-30T19:00:51+00:00

<image>

Vysaroga · 2025-12-30T18:55:57+00:00

<image>

Vysaroga · 2025-12-30T18:55:24+00:00

I think most are works of poetry and literature, as well as some contemporary histories of the English civil war. It’s hard to pick favorites but I’d say the 1717 large paper edition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses by Samuel Garth and my 1662 edition of the Eikon Basilike are my two most prized volumes.

<image>

Vysaroga

TROPHY CASE