Collectible Silver Timepieces
These collectible silver timepieces span centuries of horology, offering buyers tangible links to the past through precision engineering and precious metal cases.
Collectible Silver Timepieces
Collectible silver timepieces encompass both pocket watches and wristwatches forged from silver, alongside travel clocks and chronographs. Buyers seeking these items will find pieces originating from the Georgian era through to the mid-twentieth century.
Pocket watches dominate the earlier periods, including Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco designs. Wristwatches emerge strongly in the nineteen-fifties and nineteen-sixties, reflecting changing daily habits and military requirements.
The selection ranges from simple hunter pocket watches to complex chronographs and robust military issues. Each piece carries specific functional history linked to its era of manufacture.
How they were made
Silver forms the primary housing material for these timepieces, often paired with glass crystals and enamel dials. Internal movements incorporate brass, steel, and nickel components designed for mechanical longevity.
Leather frequently supplements the construction in straps and travel clock cases. Manufacturers also utilised stainless steel alongside silver in later wristwatches and chronograph models.
Collectible Silver Timepieces Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for collectible silver timepieces among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings span from the Georgian period through to the nineteen-sixties, utilising brass, glass, enamel, leather, and steel alongside silver.
What varies in quality
The distinction between tiers rests upon the preservation of original components, such as untouched dials and matching mechanical parts. Untouched and unrestored examples command greater interest among serious horological enthusiasts.
Execution complexity alters the standing of a piece, separating straightforward time-only watches from intricate chronographs and military issue instruments. The clarity of hallmarks and the finesse of case engraving further divide standard production from finer output.
Buren·Omega·Smiths·Helvetia·Elgin·Vertex·Zenith·Longines
The Collectible Silver Timepieces Glossary
- Chronograph
- A watch with a display function for fraction of a second measurement alongside standard timekeeping. This mechanism allows the user to operate stop-watch functions independently.
- Hunter pocket watch
- A pocket watch featuring a spring-hinged metal cover to protect the dial. This design safeguards the glass front from daily knocks.
- Verge
- An early type of escapement mechanism found in antique pocket watches. It regulates the release of power from the mainspring to the gear train.
- Goliath pocket watch
- An oversized pocket watch typically housed in a travel case or displayed on a desk stand. These substantial pieces provide enhanced legibility and larger mechanical movements.
Collectible Silver Timepieces: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these silver timepieces waterproof?
Most antique and vintage pieces lack modern rubber gaskets and screw-down crowns. Exposure to moisture will damage the delicate internal steel and brass components.
Keep these watches away from water and high humidity environments to preserve their condition.
What is a bumper automatic movement?
A bumper automatic uses a semi-circular oscillating weight that swings back and forth against springs to wind the mainspring. This represents an early stage of self-winding wristwatch technology.
You can often feel a distinct gentle thud on your wrist as the weight moves.
How should I store a travel clock?
Store travel clocks in their original leather cases in a dry, temperature-controlled room. Ensure the movement is fully wound down if the clock will sit unused for extended periods.
Regular mild movement prevents the oils inside the mechanism from settling or gumming up.