| Author | Message | ||
     Raven New member Username: Raven Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Greetings all. I am a novice collector of pocket watches and hope to learn from some of the experts I have seen posting on this wonderful website. On a recent trip to Paris, I purchased a very small pendant watch for 230E (roughly $300US). It is a little larger than a US quarter. There are three small shamrocks on the front each with four leaves - two have clear stones and the center has green stones�all are rough cut. It is very nicely engraved around the edges with flowers and leaves in green, gold, and rose gold. The porcelain dial and glass are in lovely, unblemished condition. The case is stamped inside with a diamond-type shape. Inside the shape are the letters S and G with what appears to be a long key in the center. The serial number is 45531. The serial number is on both the case and the dust cover as are two sets of watch makers notes. The movement is stamped LeCoultre&C. There is an adjustment with the letters R and A. It is hallmarked on the neck where you would wind the watch, but I can't make it out. The dealer said the mark indicated 18kt and showed me two places where the mark was located. One of those places, however, was the diamond-shaped mark I described above and I believe this is a makers mark rather than a hallmark. She said she would date the piece to around 1900. That being said, the dealer did not know who made the watch and was not able to open it to show me (I did than when we returned to the apartment) so I am curious as to whether or not this is an accurate time frame. Sadly, I couldn't find a website for dating serial number s for LeCoultre. I am eager to learn if I have made a "fair" deal or a "good" deal. Appreciatively awaiting your comments, Raven... | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4951 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Can you add a photo of the movement please? | ||
| Raven New member Username: Raven Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
I apologize for the poor quality photos...will try to get better. Cheers, Raven   | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4958 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It would be impossible to tell if it is a LeCoultre without seeing the movement. Even then, identifcation is difficult,as these early movements were not stamped LeCoultre necessarily. I think the price you paid is fair for an 18k gold pendant, regardless of the brand. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4959 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Oops, my fault, it IS stamped LeCoultre. I think you got a good deal! The serial number you have will not correspond to serial numbers that we know. I only have them starting from 1925. But if you have a movement shot, we can estimate date from the way the movement is constructed. | ||
| Raven New member Username: Raven Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Movement shot...Cheers!  | ||
| Raven New member Username: Raven Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
SG Mark  Makers Mark??? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4960 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
To me this is a circa 1890-1910 type of thing, when LeCoultre was primarily a movement maker. I am not familiar with that stamp. Anything else stamped on the back? | ||
| Raven New member Username: Raven Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
No Zaf, there are no other stamp marks other than the one on the stem which the dealer indicated was a stamp denoting 18kt gold content. Do you have any thoughts as to a possible price range. I don't intend to sell it, but I am certainly curious. Thanks so much for your insight. It is very much appreciated. Cheers, Raven | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4961 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
If it is 18k, $400-500 is a reasonable valuation. For it to be higher you'd need to ID the case maker and retailer, which from what I'm seeing looks like a challenge. | ||
| Raven New member Username: Raven Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
I really like the little piece...but it's always nice to know that there's some additional value along with the deal. Thanks so much. I sincerely appreciate that you've shared your time and expertise. Cheers, Raven | ||
| Raven New member Username: Raven Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, May I impose one last time on your expertise? There was one thing I forgot to mention about the watch described above. It winds at the stem, but to set it, one must press a tiny button on the side of the watch. Does that have any impact on your assessment of the watch or is that a common feature in watches of that era? Thanks so much, Raven | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4962 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
No impact. Pin set watches are very common from that era. In fact most were probably that way. |