How to Grade the Condition of Antique Pocket Watches
- 1). Write a number 10 at the top of your paper. This is your starting grade. All defects, whether major of minor, will be marked down as a point to be subtracted from the top grade.
- 2). Determine if you have a top grade watch. The top three grades; Pristine Mint (G10), Mint Plus (G9) and Mint (G8) are assigned to antique pocket watches that are either still in their original boxes and wrappings, and have either never been used, or used few times and then stored away. If the antique pocket watch is not in absolutely new condition in its original box and wrappings, and shows NO signs of wear immediately subtract 3 points.
- 3
Antique Pocket Watches Dents
Inspect the casing with the loupe under bright light. Look for scratches, especially around the stem and latch where the case is opened. Look for dents or any disfigurement, or if the hinges or latches don't work properly. Look for wear of the gold on gold filled or rolled gold watches.
- Minor defects that can only be seen with a loupe, no deduction
- Subtract 1 point for faint defects that can only be seen by a loupe
- Subtract 2 points for MINOR defects that can be seen with the naked eye
- Subtract 3 points for major wear, scratches, dents, non-working hinges or latches. - 4
Antique Pocket Watches Chipped Face
Inspect the antique pocket watch face and crystal with the loupe. Look for chips, cracks, scratches, discoloring, and if the hands and face is original.
- If everything is original and in pristine condition, no deduction
- Subtract 1 point if light signs of wear discoloring or scratches, but all original parts
- Subtract 2 points if there is obvious wear, small chips, hairline cracks and original or fine replacement parts.
- Subtract 3 points if there is major wear, chips, cracked or missing crystal, parts are missing. - 5
Antique Pocket Watches Inside
Inspect the mechanics. Wind the watch and see if it ticks nice and steady. Listen for irregular rhythms in the ticking; pauses, hiccuping, some strong ticks and some hesitant or weak ticks.
- Ticks strongly and seems to keep good time, no deduction
- Subtract 1 point if ticks but stops, has a weak tick, you can't wind the watch, stem is missing, or it won't tick at all. - 6). Tally up all of your deductions and subtract them from 10 (pristine mint). If you have a score from 10 to 5, you have a good antique pocket watch and is worth the cost of repair to restore it if needed. Grades 4 to 3 - you have a decent watch but it may only be useful as a display piece and may not be worth fixing. Grades 2 to 1 are basically scrap, or could be harvested for parts.
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