Internet Horology Club 185
Is this case 18 carat or gold filled?
December 11, 2011, 13:43
Steven A. CohenIs this case 18 carat or gold filled?
Hi everybody,
I have a Waltham Vanguard 21 Jewel serial #1107049. the case # is 59070 B.W.C.Co warranted 18k. It has what loks like fancy E in the inside of the dust cover. Chris Abell did a fantastic job cleaning it up. I did a lesser job on the photos. Is this case solid gold? The insription reads: To M. Gray from Father August 8th, 1879. I wrote a previous post on this watch but I now know thanks to Chris that the movement was not original to the case. It is I believe some 20 years newer. Please view my attemy at photos below. Is this watch solid gold? I am thinking about selling it here at IHC185. What would the approximate value be?
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 13:45
Steven A. CohenHere is the front of the case. It is a lever set hunter.
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 13:46
Steven A. CohenHere is the back
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 13:46
Steven A. CohenHere is the dial
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 13:48
Steven A. CohenHere is the inside of the front of the case
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 13:49
Tom BruntonSteven,the picture we need is the Warranted 18k

December 11, 2011, 13:50
Steven A. CohenWhoops that was the inscription! Here is the inside if the dust cover
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 13:52
Steven A. CohenHere is the inside of the front cover
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 13:56
Steven A. CohenHere is the fancy E
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 13:56
Tom BruntonI would say from the mark, and the look, for sure 18k gold

Easier to be 100% sure with watch in hand
December 11, 2011, 13:57
Steven A. CohenFinally here is the movement. thanks in advance for your help. this is a great group to be a mamber of.
Steve Cohen
December 11, 2011, 18:05
Theodore J. Brown Sr.Hi Steve,nice Vanguard!As Tom said,looks like a solid gold case.Also, if it were gold filled, it would be marked 20 or 25 years, and most likely 14 instead of 18K.I've never heard of an 18K G.F. case,but maybe they were made.Take care, Ted.
December 11, 2011, 21:46
Mike LaForestLooks like probably the Brooklyn Watch Case Company. Yes, I believe it is probably 18K judging from the solid gold case logos seen on page 35 of the "Complete Guide". HOWEVER, this company was involved in some fraud pertaining to gold watch cases. Google this company, and you should find some discussion about it.
The "E" might have been an owners way of identifying his watch case. Maybe his name was 'Eddie'.

December 12, 2011, 07:28
Steven A. CohenThanks Ted and Mike,
I already googled it and i am aware of the fraud. this is one reason I was asking. Thanks to Chris it is a very nice watch. Please keep responding.
Steve
Steve Cohen
December 12, 2011, 14:21
Jerry KingSteven, I am not at all sure if it is or is not solid gold....
If I were to bet one way or the other, I would bet it is not, simply because the hallmark does not resemble the hallmarks shown in the price guide mainly because it does not say U.S. Assay....
I certainly am not an expert and I would like to hear what our other members have to say and their reasoning....
I do hope that it proves to be solid 18k gold....
Regards,
Jerry
December 12, 2011, 14:27
Steven A. CohenFirst Tom I did not initially see your post. Thanks alot. Jerry, I hope it is gold also. This why I'm asking because it is so confusing. I await more responses. Thanks Again to everyone.
Steve Cohen
December 13, 2011, 01:20
Gene PianoAbsolutely 18K solid, I have had many of these. Geno
December 13, 2011, 07:29
Steven A. CohenThanks Geno, I would like to know the value of the watch and case to determine what I want to do with it.
Steve Cohen
December 13, 2011, 11:32
Gene PianoSteven, the movement is probably worth $200-$250. The case, and I know this is not popular, is horribly worn and I doubt anybody would want it for more than the scrap value. So you would have to take the movement out and all the steel and springs to determine the actual gold content. Just guessing there probably is at least $2000 in the case and probably more. Geno
December 14, 2011, 10:16
Steven A. CohenThanks Geno, Quite an investment for $450.00. $2000.00 sounds great to me. The case is somewhat worn but my photos probably make it worse than it is. I know this watch sat in a safety deposit box for years before i bought it.
Thanks Again,
Steve
Steve Cohen