shape
carat
color
clarity

Antique Watch Converted Into Quartz?

Brit

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2014
Messages
25
Would this affect the value of the watch? Is this considered a desirable? I am starting a search for an antique watch and I have a lot of learning to do. I found a converted one that I like but...

Thanks in advance for any advise!!!
 

Dancing Fire

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 3, 2004
Messages
33,852
I am not an expert on antique watches, but I wouldn't buy a converted watch.
 

Bron357

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
6,532
Hi, I have been collecting, loving and wearing vintage ladies watches for 30 years! I have over 40 in my collection. Yikes! Firstly, the "name" of a vintage watch affects its value. And some vintages watches have a premium value because they are all original. Mostly however, the value of a vintage watch is in its gold weight and gems. Manual wind movements aren't waterproof or shockproof and don't keep totally accurate time and need to be serviced every few years. When a manual movement breaks, unless your watchmaker (watchmaker not mall kiosk person) has suitable parts, it can't be fixed. If the casing is beautiful gold and gems it makes sense to put a modern Quartz movement in rather than just scrap the watch. As a collector all my watches have to be original. I wouldn't buy one with a replacement quartz movement but if I had a beautiful but broken Vintage watch I'd rather put a Quartz movement in it rather than scrap it.
Without knowing the brand, description and price I can only advise that a sensible purchase price would be Value on gold weight (without the movement) plus 15% with extra for any sizeable gems ie diamonds over 10 points each. If the price is high because it's a "premium brand" it has to have the original movement in it. For eg I have a vintage gold Rolex with diamonds which i could sell for about $2,000. The exact same watch ie gold weight and diamonds in another brand OR if I'd replaced the original Rolex movement, it would be worth $1,000.
However, as with anything, if you love it buy it and enjoy it.
 

Brit

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2014
Messages
25
Thank you so very much for your input!!! I am so glad I posted. From the small amount of searching I have done so far, it looks like it is pretty hard to find general education material on antique ladies watches.

I have wanted to get an antique watch for a while now. I actually gravitate toward smaller more delicate bracelet type watches versus the large "boyfriend" style watches that are so popular today. So finding a modern watch that makes me really happy has been difficult.

Then there is my latest dilemma. I have fallen hard for OEC's and the wedding set I have been wearing is made of 18K unplated white gold and I am loving the warm metal color with my warm stone, however, none of my current watches match and it is totally driving my little inner OCD beast wacka doodle! Plus I have a eternity band project in the works that I have found the most amazing teeny tiny full cut OEC's for and would also like to have it made in 18K unplated, but I don't want to move forward unless I can find a great watch to go with this warm metal. My solution was to start looking for solid 14/18K antique watches that will match. If not I was going to go back to my standard platinum for the band project and look for platinum antique watches.

The one that I came upon the was converted was a Hamilton and of course at this point knowing little about old watches was attracted to it purely because of the case style. But I am in no rush. Would you be willing to help me out Bron357? I really feel lost when looking as there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the pricing is see so far.
 

Bron357

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
6,532
Hi again, very happy to help. Hamilton is a good name but not having the original movement isn't really a price factor.
The thing with vintage watches is you want a working one (as a service to fix can be $100 or more) and depending on how much you are spending, you are going for either a gold fill or rolled gold band (very common to find) or a solid gold band or a solid gold band with diamonds. I'm an eBay specialist, been doing it 12 years now, I'm in Australia so all my nice watches come from either the US of A or Great Britain. Buying on eBay is ok as long as you go with the store business sellers. These are a few items I just went through so you can get an idea of fair value. Cheapest (not with gold bands) 401212497088 for $129.98 or 371754345855 for $220. Next price point 381833287135 platinum (band may be Gold fill ?) US $500 but located in the UK and 262685352205 $695 all 14kt gold. Hamilton watches 232134970690 $700 or 302099566586 also $700. A bit different but lovely Platinum and white gold 282245840206 $999 and the one I like best for $1,099 a Hamilton 112192201224. And so on. Basically for under $500 expect a diamond face with a cloth band or gold fill band, for around $700 be expecting to get a solid gold band and for $900 plus you are expecting a diamond set solid gold band. Bigger diamonds or more of them equates to a higher price but some people have very unrealistic prices, even on eBay. If there's one you want me to look at give me the details and I can let you know if it's fair value for money.
 

Bron357

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
6,532
Here are 5 of my white gold or platinum diamond vintage watches. The one second from left is all platinum and is Art Deco. The two on the right end are both "hidden dial" watches, there is a watch under the cover. I would put their fair value (but I'm not selling them) from left to right $600 (the band is gold but they aren't diamonds) $1200 all platinum, $700 all gold, $700 all gold and $1200 all gold and heavy. img_3176_0.jpg
 

Bron357

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
6,532
Oh, and if your pockets are deep and very very deep...
A stunning Tiffany palladium with diamonds and aquamarines - a unique stunner $3,450 - 301663972822 and
A drop dead gorgeous Hamilton totally blinged out - diamond covered dial as well, drop dead price too at $9,450 - 302011556095.
Sigh, I love both these.
 

Brit

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2014
Messages
25
Well... I made an offer on this watch, which they took, so hopefully I didn't make a mistake. LOL! What do you think? 172400833504 I am OK with the band being filled and the case is solid and I like the cushion shaped face. Its also got a return period so if I get it and really hate it, I can always return it. Just trying to get my feet wet with this one because I figure the first purchase is always the hardest right?
 

Brit

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 30, 2014
Messages
25
I am sorry for being so rude Brn357! I got all caught up in looking/buying that I totally forgot to say thank you for your help and for posting the picture of four from your collection! They are gorgeous!! I also made an offer on the second watch you posted, which they took, so I will post pictures of it as well as the other watch when they get here. Thank you thank you again for all your help!
 
Be a part of the community Get 3 HCA Results
Top