Case material

[tony_cooper]

What are pocket watch cases made of when there is no indication of material? No mention of gold or silver.

This is a Dennison "Star" case. Is it brass, or brass-plated nickel? What?

The movement is 1908 Waltham Traveler 16s, BTW.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/cooper213/TRAVELER.jpg

[Eeeb]

What are pocket watch cases made of when there is no indication of material? No mention of gold or silver.

This is a Dennison "Star" case. Is it brass, or brass-plated nickel? What?

The movement is 1908 Waltham Traveler 16s, BTW.



Where it says it is a Dennison Star case, does it say something like "guaranteed 10 years"? Are there any wear points where plating has worn through?

Those would show for sure it is gold plated... which is what I suspect it is. If it were solid gold, it would have an indication like 14kt.

As to the base metal, I don't know. Probably brass.

It's not solid brass that has been polished. Over 100 years brass will show substantial tarnish.

Looks nice for 100 years old, doesn't it? :-!

[Ray MacDonald]

From Google here is a good reference:
http://www.antique-pocket-watch.com/pocket-watch-case.html
You should be able to get some idea from the markings on the inside of the caseback as Eeeb has pointed out. I'd guess gold filled though.

[tony_cooper]

The case is marked "STAR Dennison Watch Case Co" on one lid, and "English Made - This case guaranteed to wear 10 years" on the works lid. Case numbers match.

I'm used to looking for gold and gold-filled marks. This has none. I even looked for a hallmark since the case is "English made". No indication of material at all.

There's not a spot of wear anywhere on the watch case, winding stem, or loop. There's not a bit of the verdigris I'd expect with brass of this age. The case may have been cleaned by the previous owner, but it's been in storage in my house for about 20 years.

Because of the condition, I'd guess it's gold or gold-filled, but I'm selling the watch and I'm very careful about making claims.

The question is about the case, but I know how this group likes to see the "guts", so here's the works. (Serial #18165576)
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/cooper213/waltworks-1.jpg

[Ray MacDonald]

It's definitely gold-filled if you have the 10 year wear statement on it.
It's a 7 jewel 16S from 1908 by the way. Not likely someone would put a moderately priced movement in an expensive case but you never know.
There are lots of railroad grades that went into rather pedestrian cases, as their railroad worker owners concentrated on getting an approved movement and didn't worry about the case as much.

[bjohnson]

I love the personalization engraving

True art.