Here's a Wm. Mckinley hunter case watch I acquired recently, Runs well, keeping time, dial has issues. A model 4, 21 jewel, lever set.

The dial

Case front

Case back

The only mark inside the case, I've posted this before. Could this be a base metal or some other alloy type case?

Gary

That is a 14K Gold Filled Kenosha (yes Kenosha Wisconsin) watch case that is period correct for that movement. All fairly rare and in pretty good shape too!

Interesting to have that wrapped around a 1905 vintage 2140136 Hampden.

The dial can be fixed to look OK.

Nice watch and an uncommon case. The dial is not hard to find if you want to replace it.

Thanks for the replies. I thought that gold filled cases had to be marked with some indication as to wear, {guaranteed to wear 10 or 20 yrs} or the gold content, etc., or was that done by the case companies to show their cases were better than the competition.

Gary

Gary the companies put about anything they wanted on cases. Commonly 10, 20, 25 years etc. However that was not required and some companies used symbols or names like Elgin Giant to indicate the quality of their cases. I have seen any number of cases stamped something like 14k commander and of course a buyer just might not realize that was not solid gold. The other thing you have to look for is what I call creative upgrading. Someone stamps a cheap case as 14k U. S. or on movements an upgrade from 9 to 21 jewels and of course the false labeling with a high end name. Fake Rolex's mare nothing new.

Hi Deacon, I saw a hunter cases watch last night on ebay, marked 14K on the dust cover, the seller stated that despite the assay mark that the case was gold filled.

Gary

I still remember the 14k solid gold case I bought that was NOT solid. An expensive but valuable lesson.

My very first PW purchase was a Fahy Monarch, 14K, that was, of course plated not solid, and I learned a valuable (expensive) lesson. That's not saying we can't be taken again sometime!

Okay, the watch I commented on didn't sell, so here's a link, what do you think.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320777...id=p3984.m1423.l2649