Hey all! My wife's aunt has an ancient O size American Waltham Watch Company serial # 6601257. It is in a beautiful hunter case marked "Royal" 14K. It is a 7j. It is in pretty good shape, except that it is missing its' bezel and crystal, and the hour hand is bent. My questions are as follows:
What is the date of manufacture?
How much is this worth, considering that it has a solid gold case?
Would I be able to find a bezel and crystal from somebody, and would it have to be solid gold as well?
I am wanting to send it down to Chris for an overhaul, and give it back to her in perfect running condition. Thanks. Regards, Brad

Hi Brad,
Don't know about value, but I think the parts could be found. Here's what I found about the movement.

Start 1/1/1894 End: 12/31/1895
First: 6596001 Last: 6602000
Model: 1891 Name: No. 60
Material: U Grade: Seaside, NL
Size: 0
Plate:
Jewelling: 7
Balance: Ex.
Style: HC

Hope this helps

Steve

Thank you very much Steve! The reason I was asking about value is that a couple of "pickers" tried to pull one on her. They started at $50.00, then ended up at $250.00. She wanted me to take a look at it while I was out in Connecticut. When I looked at the inside of the dust cuvette and saw 14K and nothing else, I told her that those guys were trying to fleece her. I guessed that the case alone was worth at least $800.00! They want to keep it, as it had belonged to a great aunt of hers. I told her that I would have it worked on, and would pay for it myself. When she asked why, I said "Well, because I love you." She was in tears. Brad

Good job Brad,

Thanks Jon. I'll try to put up some pictures of the little feller today. Brad

Front

Back

Face

Cuvette

Movement

I am trying to decipher whether this case is solid gold or not. I am also wanting to know more about this particular manufacturer...Royal. Any info would be appreciated

Markings

Brad, The bezel is the tough part to fixing this up. I would try to find an O size case from the same maker and use that bezel. The problem is that I am unfamiliar with the Royal case mark so if someone knows who made the case that would be a great help. Even gold filled would work. It also seems to me that the case may not actually be 14k solid gold. In the past some con artist might have tried to pass that off as a Roy 14 k case as they were well known for their 14k cases, so start with finding the maker. Happy hunting.

You're right Deacon. I was talking to Chris about it this morning. I'm going to let him try to fit one. And I think gold filled will be the way to go...a solid gold one will surely put me in the poor house! I love my auntie...but not THAT much. Brad

And I'm hoping that Lindell, Ed, or Buster chime in with their opinions on this. Brad

hi brad
don barrett used to be a member here...he had an ad once for bezels if you needed one his email was don.barrett@pl.com and his phone number was 330-677-1914 . you could try him he also installs a crystal if you wish. i havent contacted him in years so this may or may not be his info now but, it used to be so i hope it helps
leonard

Thanks Leonard. I'll give him a try. Brad

Deacon & Brad....The Royal case is made by Bates & Bacon, commonly known as B&B....

If the case in question was solid gold I would expect the hallmark to look similar to the photo below....It does not, so I think it may be suspect in that regard....

Of course Brad, you can always give it the LR (Lindell Riddle) Flex Test....

Regards,

Jerry

This is the Gold Filled hallmark....

Thank you Lin and Jerry. This helps immensely. Of course, I get to tell my aunt that $250.00 was just about right. However, it might be a whole lot easier to find a complete case than a bezel to fit this one. Regards, Brad

Brad, regarding the bezel, you may want to contact our very own Leon Harris, he just did one for me on a size 6 Illinois....very reasonable also....

Leon can be reached at:
HarrisLJ@msn.com or phone 931-261-0543

Regards,

Jerry

I was able to get ahold of Leon, and he's sure that he can fit a bezel for this. I'm waiting for a second hand from Gary Cochran. Once it arrives, I'll get it on there, and it's off to Leon. From there, it is headed to Texas for a COA from Mr. Abell. Brad

Thanks Lin! I aim to make my wife's favorite aunt very happy. Regards, Brad

Well folks, she's done! Just got her back from Chris! Looks like it was made yesterday!!! I want to heartily thank Leon Harris for the fantastic job he did with fitting a bezel and crystal; Gary Cochran for the new seconds hand; and of course, Chris Abell for the complete COA. My wife's aunt will be tickled pink!

Very nice Brad and I am glad to know B&B made the case. It is probably just me but there seems to be more than usual misidentified "solid gold or 14k gold" cases on Ebay.