Do you have to Hallmark a British watch case?
Many American watch movements were imported into Britain and cased with British made watch cases which, if they are gold or silver, carry British hallmarks. In Britain gold or silver watch cases, wherever they were made, should always have been assayed and hallmarked in a British assay office before sale.
What are the marks on a sterling silver watch case?
If it is a silver watch case another clear indication is that the silver standard is given as ·925 in an oval shield rather than by the traditional mark for sterling silver made in Britain of the lion passant, a walking lion with raised right forepaw.
When did they start putting marks on watches?
The new town marks shown below were used from 1 June 1907 on imported watch cases to distinguish them from watch cases made in Britain.
What are the hallmarks on a 18 carat gold watch?
The larger picture here shows a set of hallmarks in an 18 carat gold watch case. There are five distinct marks, the sponsor’s mark AF at the top, the date letter to the left, the leopard’s head of the London Assay Office to the right and the standard mark in the centre in two parts, a crown and the figure 18 signifying 18 carat gold.
Many American watch movements were imported into Britain and cased with British made watch cases which, if they are gold or silver, carry British hallmarks. In Britain gold or silver watch cases, wherever they were made, should always have been assayed and hallmarked in a British assay office before sale.
What kind of hallmarks are used in gold watch cases?
There is only one book that I am aware of, Jackson’s Silver and Gold Marks, that shows the London Assay Office shield shapes used on gold as well as those used on silver, but not even this shows all the shields used on watch cases. You are welcome to email me via my contact page if you need help with a hallmark or date letter.
The new town marks shown below were used from 1 June 1907 on imported watch cases to distinguish them from watch cases made in Britain.
