by : Mary-Ann Long

How to start an antique watch collection

If you want to start a collection of beautiful objects, you can do a lot worse than look at antique watches.

If they have been looked after, good watches will last a long time.

There is also a ready supply of antique watches at auctions across the world. One such example if the highlight of the forthcoming wrist and pocket watch auction in Birmingham on Monday 22nd October.

An eighteenth century pocket watch is being sold by Fellows & Sons, and is valued at between ?500 and ?600: You can see the full catalogue here:

The pocket watch has an under painted horn and gilt metal pair case, with studded tortoiseshell bezel painted with a fern design.

The under painted horn depicts a Masonic all-seeing eye above a scene of a woman holding a baby. She has two children at her feet and is flanked by two further females in classical dress.

A key is needed to wind the watch. It has a white dial, black Roman numerals and has been signed by the maker William Collett of Uxbridge. The movement is Verge Fusee with baluster pillars.

It's one of 472 items in the sale which starts at 11am.

You can see even monitor the antique watches sale anywhere in the world thanks to a live audio feed, and make bids online here: