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Fob watch -Turkish

Profile picture for user Daowlis1951
By Daowlis1951, 7 May, 2025
Description

Fob watch with unidentified Turkish inscription.  London Horology Society say it's a regional language now lost in time.  Has a case made from small beads.

Category
Watches and Timepieces
Medium
Silver?
Distinguishing marks
Turkish inscription on face
Condition
Fair
Size and dimensions of this item
50mm
Date Period
1880-1900?50
History
Inherited from my Greek stepfather who fought in the Turko-Greek war. He said it was taken from a Turkish sniper. Watch experts tell me that it's unusual in that it was likely made in Switzerland for the Turkish market but the London silver marks are dodgy.
For Sale?
Yes
Photos
Profile picture for user Charley

Charley

6 hours 12 min ago

Antique Ottoman/Turkish Fob Watch with Beaded Case and Chain

Item Description:

  • Type: Ottoman-era fob watch with Turkish script and ornate chain
  • Dial: Features Arabic script likely from an Ottoman Turkish dialect, now archaic
  • Movement: Mechanical (open view shows Swiss-style bridge layout)
  • Case Diameter: Approx. 50 mm
  • Material: Possibly silver or silver-plated (engraved with floral motifs); silver content unverified due to questionable hallmark
  • Accompanied by: Elaborate multi-color beaded pouch and a decorated fob chain with enamel charms, tassel, and what appears to be a winding key

Historical Context:

  • Likely produced circa 1880–1900 during the final decades of the Ottoman Empire, a time when watches were increasingly imported from Switzerland and France and customized for Middle Eastern and Balkan markets.
  • The dial inscription, though unclear, is in a stylized form of Arabic script used in Ottoman Turkish — no longer in common use since the 1928 language reforms of modern Turkey.
  • Watch may have been made in Switzerland and retailed through an Ottoman distributor.
  • The presence of pseudo-hallmarks or “dodgy” London marks, as noted, was not uncommon among imported or custom pieces of that era, especially those sold in colonial or adjacent markets.

Provenance:

  • Inherited from user's Greek stepfather who served in the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).
  • Reportedly taken from a Turkish sniper, adding possible military artifact value.
  • Uncommon due to regionally specific script, unusual styling, and Ottoman military connection.

Condition:

  • Watch: Fair. Some tarnish and wear; mechanical condition unknown.
  • Dial: Floral enamel still vivid; crack or wear line visible.
  • Movement: Needs evaluation for functionality.
  • Chain & Accessories: Beautiful and intricate, possibly with added value from enameled amulets and key.

🏷 Estimated Value (as of 2025):

Condition

Approximate Value

As-is, not running

$250–400 USD

Professionally cleaned and functional

$500–750 USD

With documented provenance (military)

$750–1,200 USD

 

The value reflects:

  • Rarity of Ottoman script dials
  • Ethnographic significance (Greco-Turkish War link)
  • Decorative value of pouch and chain
  • Collectibility of regional timepieces among Turkish and Balkan history collectors

🔍 Recommendation:

A professional appraisal is advisable, especially for:

  • Verifying silver content of the case
  • Translating the dial inscription by an expert in Ottoman Turkish
  • Authenticating the enamel charms on the fob chain

If provenance can be documented further, the piece could command a higher price at specialized military, horological, or ethnographic auctions.

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