Hello all,

My english is not the best but I hope this will make sense to you anyway.

Occationally I´ve heard that especially hunters sometimes carries what looks like extra weights under the metal springs (lid springs) around the sides inside the case. Now I have a multi colour hunter (Wadsworth 14K) in front of me with this material that looks like it is hidden from one end to the other of the springs. Also, this case in particular is equipped with pins holding the springs instead of screws as I thought in general would be the proper thing to use.
My question is if this is originaly added to the case and if so for what reason? What worries me is if these "extra wheights" are attached after production to increase wheight?

I will try to take pictures but it seems really hard to do it.

I hope that eanyone could put some light over this issue.

Kind regards,
Bernhard

Bernhard,

Whatever is under the lift spring wasn't added to increase weight, it is part of the original structural reinforcement of the case. Lift springs are often attached with pins, so that is undoubtedly original.

Gold is softer than brass, so a solid gold case is much weaker than a comparable gold-filled model, which is why reinforcement would be needed.

I'd suggest you just leave it alone and don't try to disassemble the lift springs. That would involve significant danger of damaging your watch IMHO.

Thanks Edward for your response.
My intention wasn´t to take the case apart. Just qurious about the issue. have not seen these on other cases before even if I have not checked very often. The explanation "inforcing the case" sounds very logic.
Anyway, thanks alot for you help.

Kind regards,

Bernhard I agree with what Edward said but keep in mind that some American made solid gold cases, not being regulated for purity or weight before the early 1920's, were dishonestly marketed with false or misleading markings and some had lead or base metal added to the case to increase weight and therefore profit. This could be done by a case maker or dishonest jeweler/retailer. Having collected for some years I can personally attest to the dishonesty of a few! Dishonesty in marketing is nothing new.

The thing is that I heard about this being discovered recently in some cases but I think the material then was, as you mentioned lead. When I saw this metal under the lift springs with the watch I have in front of me I just wanted to clarify what is what. Thanks alot to your contribution.
Kind regards,