Stolen!

This morning I received an email from a customer from a few years ago.  I had worked on three watches for him.  He was asking if I happened to have the serial numbers of the movements so he could create detailed descriptions for an insurance claim - all of the watches had been stolen!

Yes, I keep information like that, so I was able to help him out.  But this raises a very good point.  If you own one, or a few antique pocketwatches, it's a good idea to record some key information about them, and to keep that information in a safe place.  I suggest at least these items:

• A basic description including size, jewel count and grade of model.
• The serial numbers of movements, if any.
• The type and material of the case.  Remember that early American manufacturers, and others, did not sell watch movement in cases.  Cases are "mix and match" as it were.
• "Watchmakers' marks", the cryptic codes hand inscribed in the insides of watch cases.  These are the finger prints of a watch case.
• A few good quality photos will help as well.

Keep in mind that a stolen watch may be quickly separated from it's case, so record information about both.