Our previous article provided insight into the marking habits on solid gold watch cases in the United States before 1905. Because the industry was unregulated, many gold cases were debased.
Unlike the robust hallmark system enforced in England, the United States did not begin regulating markings on precious metals at the federal level until 1905. During the early decades of.
Modern collectors frequently debate the type of markings applied to gold and gold-filled pocket watch cases. Unfortunately, these discussions have perpetuated various myths about what distinguishes a solid gold case.
Most American watch case manufacturers experimented with various methods to market cases that were more durable and less expensive than precious metals while maintaining a similar appearance. One of the.
