need an id on a pocketwatch

[Frank t]

metal detected my first gold. its huge. a pocketwatch marked 18k. i need some help identifying though please. very ornate front with a horse midgallop, vines and leaves and flowers around the outside. the back has a leaf design,and a similar boarder. on the inside the back cover is halmarked like four times a capital U, 18, what appears to be a jesters face, something else a little worn, and the number 16426. (really small some kind of production number) On the back it says
David Humbert
Geneva
H??da
detached lever full jeweled

[Robarons]

Something like this really needs a picture.

First off its Swiss made which will make it difficult if not impossible to do research on. American watches have databases that can date the watch to the year, model, production numbers, grades, etc.

From what you said it looks to be a generic swiss brand- many swiss watch makers just made lower quality movements and made them by the bunch. IF it said Rolex, Omega, or an identifiable company we could do more reach research or values.

If it was found by metal detecting I gotta assume it was buried or outside exposed to the elements. Once this occurs the movement is completely shot and cannot be repaired. It cant even be used for parts.

Luckily if its marked 18k and is yellow gold you got a chunk in gold there. Swiss and other European countries had gold hallmarks that specifically showed karat, towns, years, etc.

This also sounds like a keywind. You will also notice that the dust cover- the part thay says David Humbert, etc is a different color, almost brass. The gold will only be the outside of the watch.

Nice find- pictures will be helpful

[Frank t]

ill try to get some pictures. thanks a bunch