What do the numbers on a pocket watch case mean? (2024)

What do the numbers on a pocket watch case mean?

With so many watches coming in and out of the shop, most watchmakers devised a system to record service and repairs in a master ledger. The watchmaker would then inscribe a reference number on the inside of the watch case matching the ledger.

What does 18s mean on a pocket watch?

What are the numbers engraved inside a pocket watch?

It was a common practice (in the good old days) for clock and watch repairmen to scratch their initials and dates when they repaired and/or serviced a watch or clock. This were usually placed inside the covers on a watch, where you found them. It is not too common today, though there still are those that do it.

How do I know what pocket watch I have?

You want to carefully open the back cover of the pocket watch to find the serial number engraved into the movement. You can then search the Pocket Watch Database or the tables provided by PM Time Service to help you identify your piece.

How do you read a watch case size?

To find the case size you need to measure the diameter in mm from the outer edges at the widest point of the watch, not including the crown. To find the precise diameter of a watch, a calliper measuring tool is typically used.

What does 30 mean on a watch?

So what do these markings actually mean? 30m - Water resistant up to 30 meters, when in reality 30m means that your watch can withstand water droplets and quick handwashing. 50m - Water resistant up to 50 meters means it can withstand swimming and cold showers.

What does 17 jewel pocket watch mean?

What does 17 jewels mean? A watch with 17 jewels is often called a fully jeweled watch. This means that it uses jewel (usually ruby) bearings in the mechanical movement from the balance wheel all the way to the center wheel pivot.

What does guaranteed 20 years mean in a pocket watch?

If instead you see something such as “Guaranteed 10 Years” or “Guaranteed 20 Years,” then your pocket watch is not gold, but rather “gold plate.” The “guarantee” does not guarantee that the watch will work for 10 or 20 years. Rather it means that the gold plate will not wear off within 10 or 20 years.

How do I know if my pocket watch is valuable?

How can you tell if a watch is vintage?

A vintage watch is typically classified as any watch that is at least two decades old. You can typically tell if a watch is vintage by any markings of dates on its back. You can also find the model number on the watch's movement. Vintage watches aren't only defined by their age but also what makes them unique.

What if a pocket watch has no makers name?

If there is no name on the dial or engraved on the movement, then the watch was "made" by one of the small "makers" whose name was not sufficiently well known or celebrated to be worth the expense of engraving it onto the plate, and the retailer didn't have his name engraved, probably for reasons of cost.

Can you check a watch serial number?

The serial number of your watch is engraved on the case at the 6 o'clock end between the lugs. You will need to remove the bracelet/strap to see it. The model reference is engraved in the same place at the 12 o'clock end.

What is the numbers inside the watch?

The hour markers are the actual labels or indexes on the dial, usually actual numbers 1 to 12 or 12 indexes, to indicate the time. The most common are Arabic and Roman numerals.

What do the numbers around a watch mean?

Often called a 'diver's bezel', the scales are usually marked from zero to sixty, which represents the minutes in an hour. On the bezel, the first 15 or sometimes 20 minutes are marked with one-minute differences. As you go higher up the scale, the scale is marked in five-minute increments.

How do I find out what year my watch is?

The watch serial number will tell you the estimated date of production of a watch and help trace authenticity.

What is watch size chart?

6 inch wrist – Small to medium diameter cases around 34-38mm. 7 to 7.5 inch wrist – Considered average mens wrist size. 38-42mm range will fit best. 8 inch and larger – Considered a large wrist size. Cases between 40-46mm, will give the wearer a more proportional look.

What is the number 4 on a watch?

The numerical notation of 4 is IV in Roman numerals. You probably think so, too. However, there are many cases where IIII is used at the 4:00 position on the dial plates of clocks that use Roman numerals. There are a variety of theories about this.

What does 24 mean on a watch?

Clocks and watches with a 24-hour analog dial have an hour hand that makes one complete revolution, 360°, in a day (24 hours per revolution). The more familiar 12-hour analog dial has an hour hand that makes two complete revolutions in a day (12 hours per revolution).

What does 20 40 60 mean on a watch?

The second hand subdial also called sub-seconds: usually in high range chronometer watches the hand of the seconds is stopped and not moving. The seconds function is instead displayed in one of the little dials, usually the one with the 20-40-60 numbers.

What does 21 jewels mean in a pocket watch?

These 17 jewels are spread in several areas from the balance wheel and all the way to the center wheel pivot. Other watch movements also have 21 jewels to reduce positional errors. These extra jewels are usually the capstones that could be found in high-end watches.

What does 21 jewels mean?

A 17-jewel count is considered to be fully jeweled but some brands go up to 21 jewels for added reduction of positional errors. Vintage watches with lower end movements, typically models from before the 1970s, often only feature 5 or 7 jewels.

What does 19 jewels mean on a watch?

A good quality watch had 15 or 17 jewels and high-end watches had between 19 and 23 Jewels. The extra jewels in the watch usually mean that more bearing surfaces are protected from becoming worn and that the total amount of energy lost to friction in the gear train is reduced.

Should you clean an old pocket watch?

Cleaning and maintaining your pocket watch isn't costly or difficult, but you should follow a few simple techniques to keep it running and looking as it should. Clean the outside of the pocket watch with a microfiber cloth - don't use cleaners or water as these can damage the surface and internals.

What is the oldest pocket watch ever found?

The oldest pocket watch that still works is the spherical Melanchthon Watch from 1530, belonging to Philipp Melanchton. Its 48mm diameter would run between 12-16 hours on one winding. It's engraving is in German, but translated to English it reads; ''Philipp Melanchthon. To God alone the glory.

Do pocket watches ever stop?

Improper alignment can impact how a pocket watch works as your timepiece relies on very delicate precision. If the alignment is 'off' then the watch can become overbanked and stop running for periods of time. You watch may also stop If your watch hands have become bent or are not seated properly.