To All IHC185 Members,
Firstly let me acknowledge the fact that I am a new member to this community. I am a retired Canadian Navy Man, whom has been in "love" with time keeping instruments for many years. Enough about me...I wish to thank everyone for making me feel welcome.

Ok down to business...after reading the philosophy behind the " Save it from the scrapper" postings I am left asking the following questions:

When driving down the road, I see, daily, "new" Beetles by VW, Cooper Minis by BMW, Dodge Challengers by Chrysler and I could go on for ever. All replicas, all re-machined and doing pretty well by the volume witnessed.

So where am I going with this?

I realise that the auto insdustry is very appealing to most. Well so is sporting a beautiful pocket watch...or am I wrong?

Are there any companies that reproduce manufacture quality cases and movements?

Are there any legacy mechanical drawings for the vintage cases we all adore? if so one could manufacture quality, solid, beautiful cases again.

Anyhow, I am simply amazed that these beautiful witnesses of the past are being molten for their bullion value, and furthermore; I am thinking that, even at the rate of one hundred a year, a small well intentioned business person (not me ) could do humanity a favour.

Any thoughts? anyone

Hi, Marc, I wish it were hundreds, I am concerned about the hundred thousand. I just went in to a gold buyer here in this small town. I asked him if I could buy the movements. After discussing prices he agreed to call me, he said he gets in about a dozen per month. There are three gold buyers here. This is a town of about 20,000 in the summer. Just try multiplying that out country wide.
Keep on posting we love hearing new thoughts around here.

The intrinsic value of the gold in a solid gold case overshadows the value of the case as an object d'arte, or as an antique, for most people.

However, the intrinsic value of the metal in a classic car is nothing compared to its value as an antique. The highest value wins. It is a matter of economics.

This whole situation of scrapping is going to get worse as gold increases in value - which I believe it will. The demand for gold will increase, but the demand for gold cases will probably remain the same. If I was going to spend money for a solid gold case today, I would probably do so as a financial investment, rather than as an antique.

Cases are one thing. It seems unlikely to me that any company would get into making new gold cases in this economic environment. Movements are another thing altogether. I don't see any reason why a company couldn't be successful making mechanical pocket watch movements, beyond the fact that the vast majority of people wear wrist watches now.

This is an example of what is being made today in China. A 17 jewel mechanical Demi-Hunter with functional day-night indicator,24hour aux. dial, center red second hand, exposed balance wheel. Out of curiosity I bid and won this on eBay for $4.50 USD and delivered for a total of $20.00!!
IT WORKS!!!

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There are alot of movements floating around without homes and here is my attempt at affordable housing.

Side view

From the back.

Ronnie, that is a pretty high grade Elgin, and now it is a good home defense weapon too!