Help w 1940s unidentified watch (grandmother’s)

[JR16]

Hi everyone,

My grandparents are no longer alive but my mother just started going through my grandmother’s things and found this watch, all she knows is that my grandfather bought it for her in post Nazi Eastern Europe either in Germany or bordering Eastern European countries (apparently he was on the train a lot making ends meet). She estimated it was purchased 1945-1950.

It is no longer working. Before searching for a watchmaker who can service a piece from this era, I figured I would see if anyone on TRF had any useful information or guesses about the watch.

These are the best pics my mom could take. Thanks !









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[tamiya]

EMCO? yeah sounds German or the German half of Swiss

Emco – Schlup & Co. SA / Rado Watch, Lengnau/Switzerland, registered February 2, 1947
Emco – S.A.D.A., watches and constituent parts, Biel/Switzerland, registered April 24, 1920
Emco – Mercier & Co., watches and watch parts, Le Locle/Switzerland, registered January 18, 1916
Emco – Louis F. Sackermann, watches and clocks, Baltimore MD./USA, registered February 7, 1922.

Not unknown for these types to be built by local jewellers who make the case & fittings around a purchased movement. Jeweller crest might be inside.

Any clues to its case material? Noble metals usually have hallmarks somewhere.

Strap looks like a much later replacement. Original might be a leather strap with glued-around tabs. Postwar austerity probably limited availability of metal raw materials vs animal byproducts.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by tamiya

EMCO? yeah sounds German or the German half of Swiss



Not unknown for these types to be built by local jewellers who make the case & fittings around a purchased movement. Jeweller crest might be inside.

Any clues to its case material? Noble metals usually have hallmarks somewhere.

Strap looks like a much later replacement. Original might be a leather strap with glued-around tabs. Postwar austerity probably limited availability of metal raw materials vs animal byproducts.

Thanks for the info! I’ll ask my mom to look closely for any metal stamps.


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[JR16]

Originally Posted by tamiya

EMCO? yeah sounds German or the German half of Swiss



Not unknown for these types to be built by local jewellers who make the case & fittings around a purchased movement. Jeweller crest might be inside.

Any clues to its case material? Noble metals usually have hallmarks somewhere.

Strap looks like a much later replacement. Original might be a leather strap with glued-around tabs. Postwar austerity probably limited availability of metal raw materials vs animal byproducts.

Case is platinum according to a jeweler my mom showed it to


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[MILGAUSS88]

The movement maker is probably a different name.
Would need to open back and take photo.
Sometimes it will have a 3 letter maker code as well.
Metal content should be stamped on the inside back of the case.

Appears to be from the late 1920's not the fourties.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

The movement maker is probably a different name.
Would need to open back and take photo.
Sometimes it will have a 3 letter maker code as well.
Metal content should be stamped on the inside back of the case.

Appears to be from the late 1920's not the fourties.

Thanks for the tip, will do just that. I suppose it could be from the ‘20s and my grandfather bought it used after the war.


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[NDAzone]

I'm not an expert but aren't Cartier watches known for having a blue gem on the crown?
The fact it doesn't have Cartier on the face...

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[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by NDAzone

I'm not an expert but aren't Cartier watches known for having a blue gem on the crown?
The fact it doesn't have Cartier on the face...

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This is a very common style during the twenties. I probably have seen over 100 watches like this (white gold, with blue sapphires/diamonds) from different makers and the blue cabochon on the crown. The cabochon is not an exclusive Cartier trait. Not sure if they even originated it.

[NDAzone]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

This is a very common style during the twenties. I probably have seen over 100 watches like this (white gold, with blue sapphires/diamonds) from different makers and the blue cabochon on the crown. The cabochon is not an exclusive Cartier trait. Not sure if they even originated it.

Thanks, good to know.

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