10/03 Final Update. Alright guys, bring me down and tell me this isn't a gold pocket watch!

pcgs69

10/03 Update#2... I'm fairly certain now that it's "gold filled," which means (I don't think this is 100% accurate description) that there is a solid layer of gold, sort of like a gold foil bonded to another metal, probably brass. This is why it looked so nice when it cleaned up because there was a very thick layer of gold over the watch. The more I got to cleaning, the more and more it looked like there was a different metal under this sort of foil-like gold layer where it was cracked. So, my final analysis is that it is "gold filled" - not gold plated and not solid gold. It was fun while it lasted though. A bit of a bummer though. Would have loved to have my first pocket watch be solid gold, haha.

Update #1. I took it to the local clock/watch shop but he couldn't get the back open. He tried for about 10 minutes, and eventually said, "oh, we can get it open, but it will be with a pair of pliers." So, I decided to leave after that, haha. Just by looks he said it looked more like brass than gold. I courteously disagreed because of how it came out of the ground (ownership adds a point haha). So, I then took it to a local pawn shop to have it tested. She did the scratch test where they put the acid on the flakes that scrape off. She said it didn't test 14k, but does "barely" meet the 10k criteria (possibly 9k?). BUT, she wouldn't give her full blessing for solid gold, though.

I have it with me now and am looking for any breaks where, if it was plated/filled, the gold would have worn away. I honestly can't see any. Still taking dirt away, and still a gold color shines though. I'll try cleaning the cracks a little more...

(Original message below)
Please! I know somewhere, somehow it's not gold... please give me that news!

Still cleaning. Wherever there's dirt, I keep wiping and the dirt keeps coming off revealing what looks like gold underneath.

Ok, finally got pics to work... when "pocket watch" is put together as one word, PCGS's "bad word" filter sounded... just a note for later...
*edited for typo*

Removed previous pics and put in cleaned-up pics. I'm fairly certain the case is gold. It was not tarnished, just caked in a very tough dirt. The design on the back looks hand-engraved as the design isn't put in perfectly. The stem... I'm not sure if that's gold or not as it cleaned up differently from the case.

demodigger

gold does'nt corrode or tarnish, so chances are its not gold. still cool though

konsole

it doesnt look corroded to me

MICHAELDIXON

If you cannot find the gold markings on it, it in all likely hood isn't gold.

ricko

Gold or not, an interesting find. Yep, better if it WAS gold, likely was gold plated. Cheers, RickO

marym

It never does any harm to have it looked at by a jeweler, right? Keeping my fingers crossed for ya!

pcgs69

update in first post

ricko

Try applying some WD40 to the seam around the back of the watch and let it set for a couple of days. Or, penetrating oil will work as well. The back should come off easily then. Good luck, RickO

adamlaneus

I think it is hilarious that the PCGS porn filter does not like the word pocketwatch.

That came out of the ground?!? Pretty good shape!

I think I might see a few green dots in some images. It may have just been in very nice, neutral soil.

unknowncomic

Just a hint. Try some stuff called PB Blaster. You can get it from your local auto parts store. Just spray a little around the seam and wait half an hour then unscrew the back. If that doesnt work then the pliers just might be your only option.
Hope it works for you.
( my guess is that it is 10k though)

pcgs69

Thanks guys. Right now I'm actually leaning towards "gold filled" because I'm now seeing some inconsistencies. I'm half tempted to break out the movement from the front. Anything wrong with that?

asheland

9K was commonly used in the U.K. for pocket watches. It may be 9K...
Cool find!

pcgs69

Final update in first post.

ormandh

Take the watch in your palms and apply pressure to both the face and the back and see if you can twist the back counterclockwise. I did not see any hinges, so I am assuming that the back is a screw on.