I recently bought the following watch:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1892-Elgin...?hash=item27ac15bcf4

I thought I'd gotten the deal of a lifetime on a solid 14K gold watch but, in another thread, Jerry King pointed out that the anchor signifies the case is gold filled. I would not have guessed that, I thought it was part of the manufacturer's trademark.

I didn't get taken to the cleaners on this but I'd like to know more about case hallmarking, numbering, and other identification.

Is the anchor symbol a standard, industry-wide indication of gold fill?

Are other icons or symbols used to denote grade, material, or quality?

Hi Chris,

Check out pages 35 & 37 of Shugart 2009

Christopher,

Check out pages 35-39 of the price guide....many are there.

Steve

GREETINGS CHRISTOFER, I OWN A SOLID GOLD ELGIN HUNTERS CASE LADY'S WATCH AND THE MARK ON THE CASE IS A SHOK OF WHEAT. I FIND THE SAME MARK LISTED AS A SOLID GOLD MARK ON PAGE 35 OF THE SHUGART PRICE GUIDE TO WATCHES. THE ANCHOR IS SHOWN ON PAGE 37 AS A GOLD FILLED MARK. THE PRICE GUIDE IS A GOOD REFERENCE TO GO BY BEFORE BUYING ANY WATCH. EDDIE

Chris,

We were typing at the same time....wierd.

Steve

Another one of those newby questions. Can someone clarify the term "Gold Filled" to me?

Bruce

If you look on page 36 of the 2009 Price Guide it tells how gold filled cases are made.

Tom

Hello Christopher & All....

Chris & I had a private email recently regarding this subject....

Quote:
Regarding the case marks....: Do you have a copy of "Complete Price Guide to Watches" By Engle, Gilbert & Shugart....If not you sure as shoot'n should....You can get a copy from the office at IHC185 and order it on our site....

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...6019371/m/4441085133

If you do have a copy, good for you, then look on pages starting at 35 thru 39....

If you will notice on page 37, third row of hallmarks down from the top, fourth mark in from the right side....see the Dueber Anchor with Halyard running through it....that indicates gold filled, then if you go to page 38 and find that same anchor in a circle you will see the legend (25 years)....that 25 years indicates 14k gold and in the instance of the watch you just purchased, inside the cover it is stamped 14K but does not say Guaranteed 25 years....they just said the same thing but a little different than most case makers....
UnQuote:

Sometimes when looking at a watch case, one needs to refer to the complete source of information provided in the 'Price Guide' in order to arrive at a complete evaluation as to the metal content of any particular American made watch case....The information in the 'Price Guide' will cover most of the cases we come across... in my opinion....

Regards,

Jerry

Thanks Tom

That guide is a great resource.

Great topic but I have a question re: Hallmarks not listed in the book.
I had an Illinois Sangamo housed in a Hunter case marked "Fahys, permanant guaranteed not to wear". The front cover had an "S" stamped into it. Was this a solid gold case or a fancy way of marking a gold filled one?
It housed a beautiful 2 tone mod-4 23 jewel Sangamo mvt though...Sold it ( ) to a friend who still owns it and won't sell it back to me.

Ray

Ray

I believe the ones marked permanent are still gold filled, Hamilton had some cases (can't remember who actually made the cases) that were also marked permanent guaranteed not to wear but they were gold filled too.

Tom

Thanks Tom, a little deceptive advertising maybe ?

Ray

Dave just posted one today....with a Hamilton 952 in it that he has just restored....The case says the same thing, Waranted to Wear Permanently....

Go here to see Dave's 952 Hami....

Regards,
Jerry

Thanks for the link Jerry, what a beauty it is.