Plated not sure but think so

[DCKJohn]

Hi All well I got that Possible silver pocket watch cleaned and opened to me it looks plated A small piece flaked off while I was cleaning it its really thick plating on the face it has the name I think Elgin in fancy letters inside on the back plate it reads Warranted B&B Royal 20 Years with numbers 666217 so I'm not to sure but think more of A % that its not solid silver so if any one has A thought about it heres some Pics of it Let me know really would like some input on it thanks for looking and what you think about it good luck HH

[del]

John , Elgin watches were a very nice watch and plated ones were not very common as most were brass. the plated ones were usually a copper alloy . you might be able to get a year that particular model was made by doing some research on the serial numbers. Its a great item to find and a prized belonging to a man back in the day.

Dan

[coinnut]

From the little reading I have done on it, I believe the case is made by another company and the watch itself is Elgin. The number you have may be the case number and not the watch serial number which is located on the movement. Here is a web site that seems like a great place to start.

http://elginwatches.org/databases/index.html


Good luck.

[Timewarpdigger]

Congrats on the find and I have been on that website and it is very informative.

[Tom]

Amazing how ornate and fancy they made things back in the day! Great find, congrats.....

[NJJOSH]

Still a very nice find. I searched the serial number this is what i came up with hope it helps.Search Results For "666217"

Serial Number SN Range Quanty Name Year grade size code jewels Adj/reg/etc.
-------------- -------- ------ ---- ---- ----- ---- ------ ------ ------------
666217 650001 50000 1879 7* 18s hfg1ks 7j
first run of grade 7; 16217 of 277000 in grade


grade total runs first yr last yr class size code jewels Adj/name
----- ----- ----- -------- ------- ----- ---- ------ ------ ----------
7 277000 6 1879 1884 6 18s hfg1ks 7j

(*) notes on grade 7: slow train (4.5 bps)


Class 6: 18s HC fp
6 193000 made lever model 2-4 7j gilded slow train (4.5 bps)
7 277000 made key model 1 7j gilded slow train (4.5 bps)
96 566000 made lever model 2-4 7j gilded
97 323000 made key model 1 7j gilded
171 22000 made lever model 2-4 7j

**** RECORD OF/HC CASE STYLE ****

[DCKJohn]

Thanks Everyone I will try and check on it with your info Right now I have the parts soaking in silver cleaner really not sure its plated but what ever it is I'm still stoked finding it I will keep you informed if I learn anything more about it good luck this year Everyone HH

[coinnut]

I think it's plated. Most were. But even if it's plated, it's a great piece and should clean up great considering the heavy plate that they put on pocket watches. After all, they get a lot of wear and tear, so they have to hold up to that. A nice find.

[midas]

Looks plated. Soak the covers in a nitric acid bath to remove the base metal and be left with gold.

[del]

Looks plated. Soak the covers in a nitric acid bath to remove the base metal and be left with gold.

what gold its silver plated over a copper alloy Midas.

[giant056]

Very nice old watch

[Digger Don]

Thats a very cool old watch.
congrats on your find