Fusee Pocket Watch – What To Expect For Buying
Posted By: DannyFusee pocket watches have not been given as much appreciation as most common pocket watches. Only some of the most passionate and well researched enthusiast can truly give credit to these time pieces and even take the time out to look for them. A fusee watch has mainly two parts. The cone shaped pulley and a main spring barrel; these two were connected by a small chain which is used to wind the spring as it loosened while the watch is functioning.
Fusee Watch Buying
There are fusee pocket watches that are ornate in style though much of the earlier or antiques did not have the same effort exerted in design as the engineering became the focal points of the watches. But lately, the more recently produced fusee watches have more detail. These are just a few of the varying degree of craftsmanship and the improvements made by the watch makers.
These works of art are generally pricier than the newer and battery operated pocket watches. Expect to find fusee watch prices to start from a few hundred dollars and the more intricate ones and the antiques to cost around a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
To get at good idea of the prices of pocket watches here are figures from watchmakers of different regions:
American watch making companies- these include famous companies like Ingersoll, Colibri and Waltham. Their watch prices range anywhere from $30 dollars to almost $600 dollars.
British pocket watch companies- British Elgin, British Railways, Omega, British Elegance these pocket watch making companies offer some of the most reasonably priced pocket watches. The prices can range from $50 up to $800 and boasts of precision engineering that only the Swiss can surpass.
Swiss pocket watch companies- these are at the top of their class and henceforth, also command steep prices for their product. It is almost guaranteed that the watches are made to be accurate and precise I their time keeping. Patek Phillipe, Jean Pierre Swiss, Swiss Army are among those worth mentioning. Prices for these watches start from a $300 up to the thousands though there are cheaper watches available too. Average prices are around $1200 for them.
What do I need to lookout for or expect when I have one picked out?
The first thing to look for before making a final decision is to obviously check if the watch is working.
Second, to check for flaws like nicks on the watch face (if open faced), to see if the covers on a hunter’s case watch is closed tightly and there is no need to put in extra effort to securely close the watch. To check if the key used to wind the watch is of perfect fit.
Third, it is of the utmost importance that you will at least have basic knowledge of how to open the case of the watch in order for you to set the time and wind the spring. The source or provider may be able to help you with that and you may ask him for quick instructions upon purchasing. Otherwise, instructions via the internet may be found and are just as helpful.
A genuine fusee watch holds a high value. Those who know of its importance will always ask for papers regarding its authenticity. You should do the same for insurance purposes and it would even be wise to have them appraised to get an idea of its true value.
I am fascinated by pocket watches (a new convert), and I am especially interested in “fusee’s”. If one were to begin collecting and willing to clean and lubes the slower running, gummed up ones, how do you know which fusse watch (like on Ebay) are the ones to collect? Some are very old (18th century). Many in th 19th century. Many are silver cases. Etc. etc. If I buy, at random, a European fusee pocket watch, and it’s from the 18th or 19th centuries, and it runs, but stops (to me, a classic sign that it needs cleaning and gentle lubing), can one “go wrong” buying one? Some have initial listings as quite low, but I need to monitor what they actually sell for. I would welcome any short note you could send.
It is my opinion that there are many of these beautiful, historic old watches that are undervalued or used for scrap, and I hate seeing the lovely old timepieces that date back to the founding of our country be butchered and cannibalized. But that’s just my opinion.
I am not a collector. I got into learning a tiny bit about pocket watches by examining a pocket watch of my father’s. It’s a nice Dubois Fil movement in a German coin-silver case with engraving. I have been told it probably dates from 1890 to 1900. I’m giving it to my son as a wedding present, shortly.
So thus began my delving into the world of old watches. And these fusee movement watches, on first examination, seem to be collectible and many are under-priced.
Any suggestions, parameters that I look for in an affordable fusee? I see many on Ebay from England that run for a few seconds, then stop, which, as I said before, would indicate that all parts are there. It’s just gotten creaky from misuse and no servicing.
Thank you for your “time” …. Steve Smith, Iowa City, IA
Im quite a new Convert myself.
But my advice is this.
With these fusse’s try to look at attention to detail.
Such as engravings on the movement itself. and how intricate the face is.
The more attention to detail the more expensive it will be.
Try not to buy anything that doesnt work. Unless your willing to spend a fair amount of money. Some parts are not possible to replace unless they are custom made. which makes things like this difficult.
Also. with regard to date. Try to ensure that it has stamps with a symbol for the location it was made (lion: london) what its made from (lepoard: Solid Silver) and what year(style of letter (which will vary depending on date or era))
You can get a book to Check all of these.
Try to avoid things that dont have these marks or dont have registered makers names engraved on the movments. They may look old and they may claim to be something they look like. But they will be fake. and a waste of your “time” and money.
Hope this helps.
Luke – London – England
Hi Steve a quick reply to your query. I firstly let me say I am no expert but have a little knowledge. If you see a watch you like firstly do a little research on the net to see if the maker is listed, if he is then thats a fair plus point. Fusee watches although old are not the most complex of movements but are expensive to have repaired. A small but interesting fact is that some of the old watch makers used to employ children to make the drive chains for the fusee watches because the chains were so small and fine that they needed the very sharp eyesight of the children to hand make these chains. Like all things there are good and poor quality, solid gold obviously gives an imediate value just in scrap, but like you I think it terrible to destroy these old engineering works of art. Beware of adverts saying a gold filled case this is another term for base metal gold plated. So in conclusion my advice if you like it and you feel confident about it buy it. Best Regards Dave.
Hi Steve, I too am a collector of fine fusee watches and I have been buying all types of antique watches from the dollar watches to the fusee for around 3 years now.I knew nothing about them at all initially but I began to research and now I find that I have gained a good eye for antique watches and clocks. I find that with each watch I buy I research the makers name, I check the hallmarks if there are any and I make sure that all the parts are there, working or not. Price wise I use the general public as a guide. I just paid $110.00 US for a solid silver 48mm english table roller chain driven fusee that starts and stops because I know that it needs to be cleaned and oiled then it will be fine. How do I know this, well I ask how long it runs before it stops, if it runs for a good 10 mins I am generally safe in my purchase. You need to be wary of people saying it runs for a few seconds as that can simply be the movement they have caused by giving the balance a spin, meaning there could still be several problems with the watch that they dont know about to tell you. Also ask if the movement runs in all directions,ie: faceup facedown sideways.The more answers you get the better equiped you are to make a good financial call.I also just purchased a really nice solid silver chain driven fusee from 1859 London hallmarks in all original condition that has already been serviced and cleaned for $170.00 US. That was to me a very good purchase and well woprth the money. It depends on how much time and money you have as to what a suitable buy is. Do what I do, research and trust your instincts. I purchased 6 watches a while ago for $300.00 I only had one working then I needed money and sold them for $750.00 to another collector of antiques. I doubled my money without even touching them. So its all in the research. I have restarted my collection now as I am back in the good books financially and can afford to and hopefully tghis time I can hang on to them a little longer. Good luck and trust your own instincts! Regards~~Angela.
I have two fusee watches from the very early 19th century. One has an inscription deep inside that shows a date of 1802. I have tried in vain to find anyone to look at these let alone repair and service. Does anybody know of anyone who still works on these either in the US, Canada or England?