REPEATING POCKET WATCHES: HISTORY & VALUATIONS
Do you want to know the history of your repeating pocket watch?
We can value your repeating pocket watch and help you find the best price if you are looking to sell your repeater.
Value & Sell Your Repeating Pocket Watch
A repeater is a kind of complication found on pocket watches. A ‘repeating’ watch is one that will ‘repeat’ the sounding of the hour, and often shorter intervals, at will when a button is pressed by the user.
Repeaters can sound the time up to the nearest minute, but quarter repeaters are the most common and indicate the hour and quarter hour.
The Market for Repeating Pocket Watches
Complications make pocket watches more desirable to collectors and early versions of repeating pocket watches, especially minute repeaters are sought after. Early repeaters used bells while later versions used gongs as these allowed for a smaller construction.
If you would like more information on the history of repeating pocket watches please see the history at the end of this page. Mark Littler can also assist with valuation and sale of your repeating pocket watch. Please use the form on this page to get in touch for a no obligation valuation and advice on selling your repeating watch and explore this page for the 6 things that impact the value of your pocket watch.
Free Valuation Request
What to look for in your pocket watch
Condition/originality
The condition and originality of a watch has the greatest bearing on its value. What could outwardly appear to be a rare 17th century verge pocket watch, may have had a large proportion of its movement replaced or cannibalised over the years (replacement dial etc). These changes might only be known to a watchmaker or collector so a guarantee of originality will positively impact the value if you are looking to sell.
The outward condition of the watch is easier to assess yourself. Cracks to the dial, worn cases or erased presentation engravings can negatively impact the value of a pocket watch.
Complications
Very broadly speaking, the more complications the greater the value of the watch. Minute repeaters are some of the most sought-after complications as well as: tourbillon, split-seconds chronograph (or rattrapante), chronometers, perpetual calendar and phases of the moon, to name but a few.
If your watch has only the repeating complication then the repeating frequency (hour, quater, minute etc) will impact the value. With rarer repeating frequencies generally more sought after. Quarter repeaters are the most common. The mode of repeating (bell, gong, vibration) will also have an impact.
Case material
With the exception of watches with ‘out of the ordinary’ movements or features (chronometers etc) the case material can have a significant bearing on the value of the watch. Generally speaking 18ct gold pocket watches are more valuable than 9ct gold pocket watches, silver pocket watches and gold or silver plated pocket watches are worth less again.
The most obvious example of this can be seen with gold cased watches: three seemingly identical watches with identical Waltham movements could be several thousand pounds different in value depending on the case material, i.e. gold plated vs. 9ct gold vs. 18ct gold.
Age
The most expensive pocket watch ever sold at auction was only made in 1933. The price of the Vacheron Constantin Reference 57260 was not released, but it is fair to estimate that it is likely the most expensive pocket watch ever produced, and was only made in 2015.
As such the age of a watch does not necessarily invoke a high value. For example, pair cased silver verge watches from the reign of George III can be sold for as little as £100 at auction (condition dependant) yet an Edwardian minute repeater can easily sell for £1,000+.
Provenance & certificates
Provenance can add a significant amount of value to a watch and sometimes the provenance will be of more value than the watch itself.
A good example of this would be a watch that could be proven to have been on the Titanic; the story attached to the watch is what would be valuable rather than the pocket watch itself.
The original chronometer certificates, receipts, boxes and paperwork can also add significant value to a watch when they are still present.
Manufacturer
In alphabetical order here is a list of some manufacturers that command a significant premium:
- Audemars Piguet
- Breguet
- Harrison
- IWC
- Massey
- Mudge
- Omega
- Patek Phillpe
- Perrelet
- Rolex
- Tiffany
- Tompion
- Vacheron Constantin
- Zenith
Sell your repeating pocket watch
In order to provide you with an accurate valuation please provide as much of the below information as you can. Valuations are free and offers are sourced with no obligation.
Selling you repeating pocket watch with Mark Littler Ltd.
Send us details about your watch directly via email or use the form below.
We contact our international network of customers for the best offers.
If you decide to proceed with an offer we issue you with a contract.
Send us your watch. We have a fully insured courier service available.
We complete the sale with the buyer and send your funds via BACS.
Auction or Private Sale?
If you are deciding on how to sell your pocket watch we can have a no obligation chat on the best options for you. We can either make a personal introduction to the best saleroom based on your location and item free of charge. Or we can look into collecting you some no obligation offers for a private sale, which could save you considerably in commission.
In a nutshell here are the main pros and cons of each option:
- Auctions can provide an increased market exposure (when you choose the right saleroom) but their gross fees can reach as much as 50%, and the payout times can be drawn out.
- Private sales leave you in control of the price, and can be completed quickly but there is no chance of ‘buyers fever’ driving up prices.
Mark Littler Ltd. are one of the only independent advisers in the antique industry. We offer trusted, independent advice to help you sell your pocket watch for the highest possible price.
The History of Repeating Pocket Watches
The first repeating watches used a bell to strike the hour and were thought to have been developed in parallel by Quare and Barlow between 1685 and 1688. Each produced slightly different designs that performed the same function – a watch that would sound the time at will by sounding a bell to mark the nearest hour.
This addition was a great step forward for watches as it allowed the time to be told in the dark. Previously this had only been possible by feeling for raised pins on the hands. Without the need to touch the face of the watch crystal to protect the face and hands was introduced more widely. This allowed more delicate and intricate designs for the pocket watches of the period.
The repeating function was refined over the following 200 years to allow the time to be sounded at an accuracy of up to a minute – known as minute repeaters. Quarter repeaters, which sounded the hour and the nearest quarter hour were the most common.
In the nineteenth century bells were replaced by gongs, which allowed for a slimmer design that was popular in Europe at the time. Silent repeaters that vibrated or pulsed also became available – useful for deaf or blind people and in situations where a bell or gong going off would be unwelcome.
Watch Selling FAQs
-
The easiest way for us to give you a price for your watch is to send us a photograph of your watch, please include the box if you have it.
We use the photograph to check:
- The condition of the watch, strap and box
Please send you images to [email protected] or use the contact form
-
Selling your watch with Mark Littler Ltd is the same process as selling at auction, except you know the price you are going to achieve beforehand.
The process is simple:
- Once you have accepted an offer, we issue you a contract which you return with your watch. You can use our fully insured courier service to send us your watch (see below).
- Once we receive the watch we arrange a meeting with the buyer and complete the sale.
- Once the sale is complete we send you the balance minus our commission, and postage charge if you decide to use our courier service. This is usually between 1 – 5 days after receiving the bottle.
Our commission is 10%, including VAT.
-
Once the contract has been signed you send your watch to Mark Littler, you can arrange this yourself, or you can use our fully insured courier service (if you’re based in the UK).
Our courier service includes all packing material and is insured up to £40,000. It also includes a pre-paid return postage label and an instruction sheet on how to pack your watch.
Once packed you simply drop the parcel at your local post office.
The cost for this service is £15.
-
When we have completed the sale we send the balance via BACS using the details you provide us in the contract.
Payment is usually between 1 – 5 days of receiving your watch, the average is within 48 hours.
“I found Mark’s details online after looking to sell a collectable bottle of whisky. I was going to use a well know auction site but Mark secured an offer higher than the highest estimation from any auction house, within days, even after the 10% commission was deducted. Communication was perfect; punctual, to the point and polite. Collection and delivery were taken care of by Mark and instruction was clear and easy to follow. Payment was received to my bank within days of posting the bottle. I can’t recommend Mark enough; he runs a tight ship gets top end offers from his clients and delivers quickly.”
Rod Fountain, via Google
“Mark conducted a high value sale transaction for me acting as broker. A complex process, clearly explained at each step of the way. Great communication and willing to go the extra mile when it mattered. Entirely trustworthy and highly recommended.”
Mark Williams, via Google
“Wow, what a refreshing change it was to meet Mark. He was the consummate professional with an approachable and warm personality who clearly had an in-depth knowledge of his subject which he used to give me a first-class service when I wanted to sell a whisky collection. For anyone who is considering any similar specialist whisky transactions I can certainly recommend him without reservation.”
Duncan Chambers, via Google
Sell your repeating pocket watch
In order to provide you with an accurate valuation please provide as much of the below information as you can. Valuations are free and offers are sourced with no obligation.
Do you want to know the history of your repeating pocket watch?
We can value your repeating pocket watch and help you find the best price if you are looking to sell your repeater.
Value & Sell Your Repeating Pocket Watch
A repeater is a kind of complication found on pocket watches. A ‘repeating’ watch is one that will ‘repeat’ the sounding of the hour, and often shorter intervals, at will when a button is pressed by the user.
Repeaters can sound the time up to the nearest minute, but quarter repeaters are the most common and indicate the hour and quarter hour.
The Market for Repeating Pocket Watches
Complications make pocket watches more desirable to collectors and early versions of repeating pocket watches, especially minute repeaters are sought after. Early repeaters used bells while later versions used gongs as these allowed for a smaller construction.
If you would like more information on the history of repeating pocket watches please see the history at the end of this page. Mark Littler can also assist with valuation and sale of your repeating pocket watch. Please use the form on this page to get in touch for a no obligation valuation and advice on selling your repeating watch and explore this page for the 6 things that impact the value of your pocket watch.
Free Valuation Request
What to look for in your pocket watch
Condition/originality
The condition and originality of a watch has the greatest bearing on its value. What could outwardly appear to be a rare 17th century verge pocket watch, may have had a large proportion of its movement replaced or cannibalised over the years (replacement dial etc). These changes might only be known to a watchmaker or collector so a guarantee of originality will positively impact the value if you are looking to sell.
The outward condition of the watch is easier to assess yourself. Cracks to the dial, worn cases or erased presentation engravings can negatively impact the value of a pocket watch.
Complications
Very broadly speaking, the more complications the greater the value of the watch. Minute repeaters are some of the most sought-after complications as well as: tourbillon, split-seconds chronograph (or rattrapante), chronometers, perpetual calendar and phases of the moon, to name but a few.
If your watch has only the repeating complication then the repeating frequency (hour, quater, minute etc) will impact the value. With rarer repeating frequencies generally more sought after. Quarter repeaters are the most common. The mode of repeating (bell, gong, vibration) will also have an impact.
Case material
With the exception of watches with ‘out of the ordinary’ movements or features (chronometers etc) the case material can have a significant bearing on the value of the watch. Generally speaking 18ct gold pocket watches are more valuable than 9ct gold pocket watches, silver pocket watches and gold or silver plated pocket watches are worth less again.
The most obvious example of this can be seen with gold cased watches: three seemingly identical watches with identical Waltham movements could be several thousand pounds different in value depending on the case material, i.e. gold plated vs. 9ct gold vs. 18ct gold.
Age
The most expensive pocket watch ever sold at auction was only made in 1933. The price of the Vacheron Constantin Reference 57260 was not released, but it is fair to estimate that it is likely the most expensive pocket watch ever produced, and was only made in 2015.
As such the age of a watch does not necessarily invoke a high value. For example, pair cased silver verge watches from the reign of George III can be sold for as little as £100 at auction (condition dependant) yet an Edwardian minute repeater can easily sell for £1,000+.
Provenance & certificates
Provenance can add a significant amount of value to a watch and sometimes the provenance will be of more value than the watch itself.
A good example of this would be a watch that could be proven to have been on the Titanic; the story attached to the watch is what would be valuable rather than the pocket watch itself.
The original chronometer certificates, receipts, boxes and paperwork can also add significant value to a watch when they are still present.
Manufacturer
In alphabetical order here is a list of some manufacturers that command a significant premium:
- Audemars Piguet
- Breguet
- Harrison
- IWC
- Massey
- Mudge
- Omega
- Patek Phillpe
- Perrelet
- Rolex
- Tiffany
- Tompion
- Vacheron Constantin
- Zenith
Sell your repeating pocket watch
In order to provide you with an accurate valuation please provide as much of the below information as you can. Valuations are free and offers are sourced with no obligation.
Selling you repeating pocket watch with Mark Littler Ltd.
Send us details about your watch directly via email or use the form below.
We contact our international network of customers for the best offers.
If you decide to proceed with an offer we issue you with a contract.
Send us your watch. We have a fully insured courier service available.
We complete the sale with the buyer and send your funds via BACS.
Auction or Private Sale?
If you are deciding on how to sell your pocket watch we can have a no obligation chat on the best options for you. We can either make a personal introduction to the best saleroom based on your location and item free of charge. Or we can look into collecting you some no obligation offers for a private sale, which could save you considerably in commission.
In a nutshell here are the main pros and cons of each option:
- Auctions can provide an increased market exposure (when you choose the right saleroom) but their gross fees can reach as much as 50%, and the payout times can be drawn out.
- Private sales leave you in control of the price, and can be completed quickly but there is no chance of ‘buyers fever’ driving up prices.
Mark Littler Ltd. are one of the only independent advisers in the antique industry. We offer trusted, independent advice to help you sell your pocket watch for the highest possible price.
The History of Repeating Pocket Watches
The first repeating watches used a bell to strike the hour and were thought to have been developed in parallel by Quare and Barlow between 1685 and 1688. Each produced slightly different designs that performed the same function – a watch that would sound the time at will by sounding a bell to mark the nearest hour.
This addition was a great step forward for watches as it allowed the time to be told in the dark. Previously this had only been possible by feeling for raised pins on the hands. Without the need to touch the face of the watch crystal to protect the face and hands was introduced more widely. This allowed more delicate and intricate designs for the pocket watches of the period.
The repeating function was refined over the following 200 years to allow the time to be sounded at an accuracy of up to a minute – known as minute repeaters. Quarter repeaters, which sounded the hour and the nearest quarter hour were the most common.
In the nineteenth century bells were replaced by gongs, which allowed for a slimmer design that was popular in Europe at the time. Silent repeaters that vibrated or pulsed also became available – useful for deaf or blind people and in situations where a bell or gong going off would be unwelcome.
Watch Selling FAQs
-
The easiest way for us to give you a price for your watch is to send us a photograph of your watch, please include the box if you have it.
We use the photograph to check:
- The condition of the watch, strap and box
Please send you images to [email protected] or use the contact form
-
Selling your watch with Mark Littler Ltd is the same process as selling at auction, except you know the price you are going to achieve beforehand.
The process is simple:
- Once you have accepted an offer, we issue you a contract which you return with your watch. You can use our fully insured courier service to send us your watch (see below).
- Once we receive the watch we arrange a meeting with the buyer and complete the sale.
- Once the sale is complete we send you the balance minus our commission, and postage charge if you decide to use our courier service. This is usually between 1 – 5 days after receiving the bottle.
Our commission is 10%, including VAT.
-
Once the contract has been signed you send your watch to Mark Littler, you can arrange this yourself, or you can use our fully insured courier service (if you’re based in the UK).
Our courier service includes all packing material and is insured up to £40,000. It also includes a pre-paid return postage label and an instruction sheet on how to pack your watch.
Once packed you simply drop the parcel at your local post office.
The cost for this service is £15.
-
When we have completed the sale we send the balance via BACS using the details you provide us in the contract.
Payment is usually between 1 – 5 days of receiving your watch, the average is within 48 hours.
“I found Mark’s details online after looking to sell a collectable bottle of whisky. I was going to use a well know auction site but Mark secured an offer higher than the highest estimation from any auction house, within days, even after the 10% commission was deducted. Communication was perfect; punctual, to the point and polite. Collection and delivery were taken care of by Mark and instruction was clear and easy to follow. Payment was received to my bank within days of posting the bottle. I can’t recommend Mark enough; he runs a tight ship gets top end offers from his clients and delivers quickly.”
Rod Fountain, via Google
“Mark conducted a high value sale transaction for me acting as broker. A complex process, clearly explained at each step of the way. Great communication and willing to go the extra mile when it mattered. Entirely trustworthy and highly recommended.”
Mark Williams, via Google
“Wow, what a refreshing change it was to meet Mark. He was the consummate professional with an approachable and warm personality who clearly had an in-depth knowledge of his subject which he used to give me a first-class service when I wanted to sell a whisky collection. For anyone who is considering any similar specialist whisky transactions I can certainly recommend him without reservation.”
Duncan Chambers, via Google
Sell your repeating pocket watch
In order to provide you with an accurate valuation please provide as much of the below information as you can. Valuations are free and offers are sourced with no obligation.