Vacheron Constantin Pocket Watch, ca. 1885
Watch
GUEST:
It's a piece we found in our home. And when we moved in and we were living there for a few years, my husband was cleaning the ductwork in the basement. And there was two pieces. There was this piece and another piece along with this, another gold piece and they were laid perfectly up on the ductwork in the basement, and he was up there cleaning and he found it.
APPRAISER:
When I first saw it, the first thing we noticed is the gold chain.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
Unfortunately, we tested the chain and it's not gold.
GUEST:
It's not?
APPRAISER:
No, it's gold filled. So that's the bad news. And so the value of the chain is very minimal.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
However, the pocket watch is quite nice. So when you brought it to me, I've opened it up here. And you open it up on the inside. And what you see is beautiful hands and the signature on the dial. And the signature on the dial says, "Vacheron Constantin." Vacheron Constantin is one of the highest end watch manufacturers. They've been around since 1775.
GUEST:
Wow.
APPRAISER:
Then we look on the back side and it's signed "Vacheron Constantin" also on the case. Already double-signed. Very important for this watch. And we open it up again. And on the movement, which is quite beautiful, is "Vacheron Constantin" as well. Exceptional watch, so pretty, all 18-karat gold, triple-signed with all the hallmarks. And the age of it is probably from approximately 1880, 1890.
GUEST:
No way! I kind of thought it was like being that the decoration around the out... I was thinking maybe it was from the '60s or something.
APPRAISER:
It's a very, very special watch. So you have no idea on the value?
GUEST:
No, nothing, nothing.
APPRAISER:
So in a retail store, this watch would sell for approximately $3,000.
GUEST:
Oh, wow.
APPRAISER:
So that's a good find. That's a very good find.
Appraisal Details
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