Camerer Cuss & Co details

[Nick80]

Hi all. I am new to all this. I inherited a Carerer Cuss & Co pocket watch from my Grandad about 10 years ago and it has just sat in drawer since. Came across it earlier in werk and have tried to do a bit of research but hitting wall now. I believe it is 18k made in London but other than that do not know anything else. If anyone is able to help It would be greatly appreciated. Is it worth anything or just a cool sentimental item? Thanks in advance

[oldhippy]

Hello Nick80

On this friendly forum we like new members to firstly introduce themselves before asking for help. Just tell us a little about yourself, how you got interested in watches/clocks.

 

You are right it is 18k with its original hands; it looks as if the tail on the seconds hand is missing. Depending on the weight of the gold, this can vary the price. Is it possible to open up the case and take good clear photos of the movement? Very good movements can also vary the price.  

[Nick80]

Apologies. Like I said I am new to this. I myself am more used to newer watches and have a Tag which I am more than happy with. The pocket watch was passeddown to me and I was curious to find out more.

I have tried to open the back end but can't see anyway to release it to see inside. There is a key with it but it turns one way but nothing happens. No movement in the hands and no noise. When turn the other way it is rigid and doesn't move. The watch weighs 100g. So it is quite heavy. 

Is it worth repairing? Obviously a working one I understand will be worth more. But is it viable to do so. Where would you take it to get repaired? Where would one then sell it in working or non working order? I'm not looking to get rid of it just curious and don't really know where I would start.

 

Thank you for your reply

 

Nick

[wls1971]

Camerer Kuss and co where London jewellers established in 1788 by two German immigrants they had various retail outlets within London, After 1914 the company was named Camerer Cuss the K was dropped from Kuss to hide the company's German origins.

Your watch appears to date from 1879, the value beyond its gold content would rest upon what movement it has inside, they used mainly imported movements in there watch and have used some very notable company's to supply the movements so price can vary widely.

To open the watch you need to put a thumb nail under the catch marked and lift upward, the movement will probably have a inner dust cover attached to it this is removed by sliding the large spring like lever.

 

T

Edited August 15, 2018 by wls1971

[Nick80]

Wow..... would you look at that. It's like a secret compartment. This is so cool. Ok so it's open.....

[wls1971]

The movement is a chain driven fusee movement a similar watch sold at auction 1/7/2016 for £680 and I would put your watch at £600-£800 as a auction guide in working condition but with all auctions that depends who bids on the day.If you have a gold chain with it that would increase its value greatly. It is dirty so may just need a clean but it's certainly worth having done 

[Nick80]

Ah thank you. I don't have a chain only a key. It's worth taking to see if I can get it working at repair shop then. Brilliant stuff. Thank you

[oldhippy]

Not much to add wis 1971 has said it all. I think that movement is English it is a typical English fusee movement.

Some watch repairers will not undertake fusee Pocket watches. A fusee movement is very different to other mechanical movements. If you take it for a service make sure the work is carried out on the premises in their workshop. Many places these days take in repairs and send them away.

[Nick80]

Quick update.... I googled watch repair shop and by chance there was a watch jeweller 1 mile from me. I have just this minute got back. He offered me £1500 cash for it as it was there and then. I declined and said I wanted it serviced which he said would be done on site for £200 within 10 days. Where would be the best place to get this properly valued? Any ideas. Thank you so much for all your help to date I really appreciate this.

 

Nick

[oldhippy]

In the UK I would suggest auction houses, those that have a specialist in horology.

[wls1971]

£1,500 is a fantastic offer If you really want to sell I would take that, I have checked online via a specialist auction web site the price's these watches fetch can be very hit and miss as I already stated a similar fusee Camerer Kuss watch sold for £680.00 there have also been plenty that sold for less, but you also have to factor in the commission that a auction house would charge you that varies between 20 % and 30% depending on the auction house  so you would end up with £476 at 30% commission, I really don't think you would achieve anything near £1,500 at a auction house even in a specialist sale.

Its a nice watch but in horological terms it is not anything unusual as far as the movement goes, its pretty much what a good Victorian watch of the period would have been.

Specialist auction sites for watches are Gardiner Houlgate, Fellows and Sons, Bonhams, Christies or Sotherby's 

If you want a valuation for insurance purposes you should get a reputable jewellers to supply you with one that would almost certainly be higher, because its based on what it would cost you to replace from a jeweller.

Or you could just get it cleaned repaired and wear it .

 

 

 

[philologus]

It looks as though it will clean up well. I wouldn't be able to part with it if it was mine.