Best Estate Services
Timed Auction

Pocket Watches ; Jewelry & Jewelry Grade Gemstones

Sat, Nov 8, 2025 06:00PM EST - Sun, Nov 23, 2025 03:00PM EST
  2025-11-08 18:00:00 2025-11-23 15:00:00 America/New_York Best Estate Services Best Estate Services : Pocket Watches ; Jewelry & Jewelry Grade Gemstones https://auction.bestestateservices.com/auctions/best-estate-services/pocket-watches-jewelry-jewelry-grade-gemstones-20983
$1.00 Starting Bids NO RESERVES! Opens Nov 8, staggered lot closing Nov 23. An exclusive auction of men’s vintage pocket watches, fine jewelry, and jewelry-grade gemstones. Featuring gold and silver timepieces from Elgin, Waltham, Hamilton, and more, plus 14K–18K gold rings, chains, and collectible opals, emeralds, and quartz from around the world. No reserves — all bids start at just $1! Opens Nov 8, closes Nov 23.
Best Estate Services hello@bestestateservices.com
Timed Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot
Lot 971

New Columbus pocket watch – 15-jewel movement – Safety Pinion – Keystone Watch Case Co. gold-filled hunter case – circa 1898.

Estimate: $10 - $1,000
Starting Bid
$1

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $1
$20 $5
$500 $10
$1,000 $25
$5,000 $50
$10,000 $100
$15,000 $500
$20,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
$500,000 $10,000

Overview

Watch Brand: New Columbus Watch Co.
Case Maker: Keystone Watch Case Company
Case Serial: #7340339
Type: Key-wind or stem-wind pocket watch (open-face style)
Era: Circa 1890–1910
Movement: Manual wind (likely 11–17 jewels)
Case Material: Gold-filled or rolled gold plate
Dial: Porcelain enamel with Roman numerals and floral garland decoration


🔎 Design and Features

1. Dial

  • The dial is enamel, featuring black Roman numerals, a seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, and a delicate floral border — a beautiful touch that was common on watches marketed toward elegant or commemorative use in the late Victorian to Edwardian period.

  • The hands are spade-style blued steel, a classic American style.

  • The printing “New Columbus” identifies the movement manufacturer.

2. Case

  • The Keystone Watch Case Company was one of America’s leading case makers, based in Philadelphia. They produced cases for many American watch companies, including Elgin, Waltham, and Columbus.

  • The case is stamped with Keystone’s logo and serial #7340339.

  • This particular case is gold-filled, which means it’s a base metal core with a thick gold overlay. Keystone guaranteed most of its gold-filled cases for 20 to 25 years.

  • The bezel and bow (ring at the top) have light decorative engraving — another feature consistent with ca. 1900 design.

3. Movement (inside)

The movement inside, likely stamped “New Columbus Watch Co.” or “Columbus Watch Co.,” would contain the actual works and serial number that can precisely date the watch.
Common models from the company in this period were 11-jewel and 15-jewel grades, key or stem wound depending on year.

Summary

Feature Description
Maker New Columbus Watch Co.
Case Maker Keystone Watch Case Co.
Case Serial #7340339
Material Gold-filled (20-year guarantee)
Dial White enamel, Roman numerals, floral garland
Movement Manual wind, c. 1890–1910
Style Open-face

Used / Not Tested

Key Stone Watch Case 7340339

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay
PayPal

Timed Auction Terms & Conditions No Reserve ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS-IS, WHERE-IS. This auction is not an approval sale, and all sales are final. No returns will be accepted under any circumstances. 1. Conditions of Sale This is a public sale conducted by Best Estate Services, Inc. (“the Auctioneer”). Best Estate Services, Inc. acts solely as an agent for the items being sold. By bidding on any item, the purchaser agrees to be bound by these Conditions of Sale and any other terms announced or published 2. As-Is Condition All items (hereinafter referred to as “item(s), lot(s), article(s), property,” etc.) are sold AS IS, without any guarantee or warranty, express or implied. Best Estate Services, Inc., its agents, employees, and/or consignors make no representations or warranties regarding the correctness of the catalog, description, authenticity, condition, size, quality, rarity, provenance, or historical relevance of any property. No statement, whether oral or written, shall be deemed a guarantee unless expressly stated in writing. 3. Item Inspection All prospective bidders are encouraged to inspect the items prior to bidding. If an in-person inspection is not possible, bidders are responsible for requesting condition reports and/or additional photographs before bidding. Descriptions and reports are provided in good faith, but all items are antique or vintage and may show signs of age or wear. 4. Last-Minute Bidding Due to internet latency or device factors, last-second bids may not register correctly. To avoid errors, bidders are encouraged to refresh their browser frequently near the close of bidding. Final auction results will stand as recorded in our system. To prevent last-second issues, bidders are encouraged to use the “Max Bid” feature. 5. Buyer’s Fees A Buyer’s Premium will be added to all winning bids to determine the final purchase price. Internet Premium: 23% Credit Card Processing Fee: 3% 6. Payment Terms Currency: USD Accepted Payment Methods: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover — American Express not accepted) Cashier’s Check Wire Transfer Cash will not be accepted at any local pick-up location. All invoices must be paid online or via approved non-cash methods prior to pick-up. For purchases under $1,500, payment may be made by credit/debit card, cashier’s check, or wire transfer. For purchases over $1,500, payment must be made by cashier’s check (with a bank letter of reference) or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to: BEST ESTATE SERVICES INC. To coordinate wire transfers, call (262) 799-5167. ⚠️ Please Note: BIDSQUARE only collects credit card information for bidder verification. Invoices: Invoices including shipping and handling charges will be sent Tuesday End of Day following the close of the auction. All invoices must be paid immediately upon receipt. 7. Shipping & Pick-Up Information General Policy: Buyers are responsible for all shipping costs. Shipping information is not included in the purchase price of your item(s). If you are the successful bidder, you may either: Have your items shipped via Best Estate Services, Inc. in-house shipping department, or Collect your property in person during the designated local pick-up period. For all shipping and pick-up inquiries, please contact us at: 📧 hello@bestestateservices.com 📞 (262) 799-5167 8. Shipping Details All shipping will be handled in-house by Best Estate Services, Inc. via USPS unless otherwise arranged. A flat handling fee of $15.00 per package will be applied and added to your invoice along with the applicable USPS postage cost. Shipping and handling fees will appear as separate line items on your invoice. Packages will be shipped once payment for both the item(s) and shipping has been received and cleared. Tracking information will be provided via email once your package has been processed. Note: For oversized or fragile items (such as large furniture, sculptures, or specialty pieces), please contact us prior to bidding to discuss available shipping options or to coordinate third-party freight service if required. 9. Local Pick-Up All local pick-up arrangements must be made by Tuesday End of Day following the close of the auction. Local pickups are subject to a flat $5.00 handling fee. Local pick-up will take place 8 days after the close of the auction, on the following Monday between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Important Pick-Up Rules: No cash will be accepted at local pick-up locations. All invoices must be paid online prior to arrival. If you are sending someone else to pick up your items, you must provide a copy of their driver’s license in advance of pick-up for authorization. Pick-ups are by appointment only within the designated time window. Please contact us promptly if you are unable to attend the scheduled pick-up so alternate arrangements can be discussed. 10. Storage Fees All items must be picked up or have shipping arranged within two (2) weeks of the auction close. Items left beyond that time will incur a storage fee of $10 per lot per day, regardless of size or value. Thank You Thank you for participating in our auction and for choosing Best Estate Services, Inc. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you again. 📧 hello@bestestateservices.com 📞 (262) 799-5167

Shipping

Shipping & Pick-Up Information

General Policy:

Buyers are responsible for all shipping costs. Shipping information is not included in the purchase price of your item(s).

If you are the successful bidder, you may either:

Have your items shipped via Best Estate Services, Inc. in-house shipping department, or Collect your property in person during the designated local pick-up period.

For all shipping and pick-up inquiries, please contact us at:
📧 hello@bestestateservices.com

📞 (262) 799-5167

8. Shipping Details

All shipping will be handled in-house by Best Estate Services, Inc. via USPS unless otherwise arranged. A flat handling fee of $15.00 per package will be applied and added to your invoice along with the applicable USPS postage cost. Shipping and handling fees will appear as separate line items on your invoice. Packages will be shipped once payment for both the item(s) and shipping has been received and cleared. Tracking information will be provided via email once your package has been processed.

Note: For oversized or fragile items (such as large furniture, sculptures, or specialty pieces), please contact us prior to bidding to discuss available shipping options or to coordinate third-party freight service if required.

9. Local Pick-Up

All local pick-up arrangements must be made by Tuesday End of Day following the close of the auction. Local pickups are subject to a flat $5.00 handling fee. Local pick-up will take place 8 days after the close of the auction, on the following Monday between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Important Pick-Up Rules:

No cash will be accepted at local pick-up locations. All invoices must be paid online prior to arrival.
If you are sending someone else to pick up your items, you must provide a copy of their driver’s license in advance of pick-up for authorization.
Pick-ups are by appointment only within the designated time window.
Please contact us promptly if you are unable to attend the scheduled pick-up so alternate arrangements can be discussed.

10. Storage Fees

All items must be picked up or have shipping arranged within two (2) weeks of the auction close.
Items left beyond that time will incur a storage fee of $10 per lot per day, regardless of size or value.

Thank you for participating in our auction and for choosing Best Estate Services, Inc.
We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you again.

📧 hello@bestestateservices.com
 

📞 (262) 799-5167

About the New Columbus Watch Company

The Columbus Watch Company was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1874. It produced mid- to high-grade pocket watches and was known for their reliable and decorative movements. Around 1903, parts of the operation were reorganized under the name “New Columbus Watch Co.”, continuing until the early 1910s.

The company was eventually absorbed into the South Bend Watch Company, which carried on some Columbus designs.


📅 Dating the Watch

Using the Keystone case serial number (#7340339) and the style of dial and case design, this piece dates to roughly:
➡️ 1905–1915.

If you open the movement cover (the inner rear lid), you can find the movement serial number — that number allows for exact year dating and model identification.