Reply To: Pocket Watch Cases

[Bob Tascione]

Hi B,
Prior to the 1920s most American watches were sold as uncased movements in various sizes ie: 12 size, 16 size etc. A customer would then select a case, often from a range of case manufacturers for that particular size and not for the make of movement. So most (not all) of these cases and movements can be interchanged. It’s my understanding that somewhere around the 1920s things began to change and movement manufacturers began having cases made unique to their movements.

Matching the case style to the production date of the movement can be done by referring to advertisements and catalogs that circulated during that era.

I don’t know what movements would be best and most profitable to buy and case for resale. Might be others up here that are actively involved in doing this that can help.

Hope this helps B,
Bob