Blank Starter Page

This file was reset to a clean starter so we can rebuild the frontend from scratch. Functional scripts and backend integrations are preserved in other files.

Archive of the original frontend is in /archive/original-frontend-2025-09-02/

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The Pocket Watch Buyer

Recommended

Time to sell

24-48 hours

Instant quote, ship today, paid tomorrow

You keep

100%

We buy direct - no commissions

Certainty

100%

Fixed price* before you ship

Traditional Auction

Time to sell

2-6 months

Cataloguing, waiting for sale date, payment delays

You keep

50-75%

Buyer's premium, seller's commission, insurance

Certainty

Unknown

No guarantee of sale or final price

Expert horologists: From the team behind Time Rediscovered, with over 10 years of experience bringing fairness and transparency to the vintage watch market through specialist knowledge and modern efficiency.

Pocket Watch Insights

Expert knowledge and market updates from our horologists

Assortment of high-end pocket watch brands
Insights

Identifying Valuable Pocket Watch Brands

Not all pocket watches are created equal. Understanding the brand hierarchy is crucial for determining whether your timepiece is worth its weight in gold or significantly more as a collector's item.

Learn more
Gold pocket watch movement showing intricate gears
Insights

Melt Value vs Collector Value

Understanding the difference can mean the difference between hundreds and thousands of pounds. Professional assessment can determine if restoration would increase value or if the watch is better sold as-is.

Learn more
Vintage pocket watch dial highlighting market trends
Insights

Market Trends in Vintage Pocket Watches

The vintage timepiece market in 2025 shows remarkable resilience and growth, with pocket watches representing a significant segment of collector interest.

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Expert Guidance

Professional advice from experienced horologists

Identifying Gold Pocket Watches

1

Confirm the hallmarks

Open the case back (and dust cover if it has one) and inspect the inner surfaces and hinges.

  • Karat marks: 9k, 14k, 18k, 22k.
  • Purity numbers: 375, 585, 750, 916.
  • British assay symbols: crown, leopard head, anchor, etc.
2

Watch for plated markings

These usually indicate plated or filled cases:

  • GP – Gold plated.
  • GF – Gold filled, thicker than plating but still base metal.
  • RGP – Rolled gold plate, gold bonded to brass or nickel.
  • Base Metal – Confirms the case is not solid gold.
3

Weight & magnet test

Solid gold cases feel heavy for their size and will not be attracted to a magnet. Use a kitchen scale and note that genuine gold should not react to a strong magnet.

4

Colour & wear

Solid gold maintains a rich colour even on high-wear edges. Plated cases often reveal copper or brass tones where the gold layer has rubbed away.

Identifying Silver & Stainless Steel Watches

1

Identify silver hallmarks

Check inside the case back and dust cover for traditional silver markings.

  • Sterling / 925 / lion passant: standard UK sterling silver.
  • Britannia mark: indicates 95.8% pure silver.
  • City marks: Birmingham (anchor), London (leopard), Chester (three wheat sheaves).
2

Silver vs. stainless steel

Silver develops a natural black or grey tarnish, especially around edges and recesses. Stainless steel stays bright and is usually marked “Stainless Steel” or “Inox”.

3

Magnet & weight check

Silver is non-magnetic and feels heavier than stainless steel. A strong magnet attracting the case usually means steel or another base metal.

4

Note condition clues

Stainless steel cases often have brushed or polished finishes and resist tarnish. If you see flaking or brassy undertones, it may be plated rather than solid silver.

How to Identify Your Pocket Watch Material

1

Check the hallmarks

Open the case back (and dust cover if it has one) and look for stamped marks around the hinges and inside surfaces.

  • Solid gold marks: 9k, 14k, 18k, 22k, 375, 585, 750, 916.
  • Solid silver marks: Sterling, 925, the lion passant, or Britannia.

Marks that mean it is not solid gold:

  • GP (Gold Plated) – a thin layer of gold over base metal.
  • GF (Gold Filled) – thicker than plating but still a base-metal core.
  • RGP (Rolled Gold Plate) – sheet of gold bonded to brass or nickel.
  • Base Metal – indicates the case is brass, nickel, or similar with no solid gold.

If you see these markings, the case is almost certainly not solid gold.

2

Feel the weight

Solid gold cases feel noticeably heavy for their size. Silver is moderately heavy, while plated or base-metal cases feel lighter.

3

Try a magnet

Hold a strong magnet against the case only (avoid the movement):

  • No attraction: Likely gold or silver.
  • Magnetic pull: Stainless steel or other base metal.
4

Check for tarnishing

Silver naturally tarnishes to a grey or black tone over time. Gold will not tarnish, while plated cases may show brass or copper tones where the plating has worn.

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