Pocket Watch Serial Number Lookup
Enter the serial number from your pocket watch movement and select the maker for an instant year estimate, grade information, and links to live eBay prices for comparable watches. Covers Waltham, Hamilton, Elgin, Illinois, Hampden, and E. Howard.
This page is installable as an app on your phone — look for “Add to Home Screen” or “Install” in your browser menu. Once installed it works offline — ideal at fairs and auctions.
⌚ Serial Number Lookup
Date • Grade • eBay Prices • Works offline
Refine your eBay search
Prices shown are live eBay listings for comparable watches — not a formal valuation. Condition, provenance, and case metal significantly affect final prices.
Why is this only an estimate? Serial numbers were assigned in production batches, but a movement could sit in stock for a year or two before being cased and sold. The year given here is when the movement was made — the watch may have been sold and engraved slightly later.
Coverage
| Maker | Serial Range | Years | Table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waltham | 1 – 35,000,000 | 1852–1957 | View |
| Hamilton | 1 – 5,800,001 | 1893–1942 | View |
| Elgin | 1 – 44,800,001 | 1867–1955 | Maker |
| Illinois | 1 – 5,650,001 | 1872–1927 | View |
| Hampden | 1 – 2,240,001 | 1877–1927 | View |
| E. Howard & Co. | 1 – 470,000 | 1858–1930 | View |
| Ball | Uses movement maker’s range — see below | Maker | |
Where to Find the Serial Number
Open the case back. The serial number is stamped on the movement plate — a 5–8 digit number near the maker’s name. It is not the number inside the case back, which identifies the case maker. Full guidance with photos: Serial Numbers Hub.
Ball Watches
Ball Watch Co. did not manufacture movements. Ball-signed watches use movements by Hamilton, Waltham, Elgin, or Illinois. Identify the actual movement maker from the movement plate and select that maker above. Selecting “Ball” in the app will explain this and link to the correct tables.
Other Makers
For Rockford, South Bend, Seth Thomas, and Swiss movements, see the Serial Numbers Hub.