Taking rubies from an old watch - worthwhile?

[Harpertoo]

I've had this watch in a safe deposit box for a long time. In my mind the stones were more plentiful and the diamonds were French cut. No such luck.....but as I looked it over feeling guilty about potentially removing the stones, the back of the case fell off. I'm feeling less torn about taking this piece apart, but I'm wondering if it is worth resetting the rubies? They look quite clean, but I'm inexperienced with colored stones.
Any thoughts on how to tell if they're worth re-setting? I'm likely to send this off to a jeweler since I don't have one in my area I use for setting/custom projects.
Thanks.

 

[chrono]

In setting small stones, a lot of the cost is in the labour itself. I would not do it unless the watch no longer works and you needed rubies of that size in the first place. Synthetic stones were very popular in the Art Deco period so these could be man made as well.

 

[eac]

I think that watch is really beautiful as it is! Gold and gold-filled pieces from that period are having a renaissance, and Art Deco is big right now.

 

[Sakag]

I'd see how much it would cost to get the watch repaired. There's definitely a market for well-made, manual wind, jeweled watches, especially Art Deco, which is making a resurgence thanks to shows like Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge. Depending on what you can get it repaired for, the gold content/color (it looks like RG in the photo, is it really? those usually sell higher) and the scarcity of similar Gruen models, you could sell it at a profit and then put the money towards a (some) stone(s) you really want.

 

[chrono]

If not too costly, I would fix up the watch and wear it! It's gorgeous and they don't make watches like this anymore.

 

[Harpertoo]

Thank you for the advice. My late unle was a watchmaker and had repaired the watch several times because he liked the design. (He specialized in antique pocket watch repair.) It really has not kept time since I've had it. The case is rosé gold, the bracelet/clasp portion is gold filled. I have no idea if the rubies are natural. They do look suspiciously bright & clean compared to the tiny included diamonds.
I would essentially have to design a piece around the stones, so you're probably right that I should leave it intact. I have no desire to have it repaired, but if I can determine a price, I may try to sell it. I took a trip to the bank, so I have a lot of pieces I'd like to repurpose or sell.
Maybe I should start a thread: Re-set or Sell....the Love it or List It for jewelry.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

If not too costly, I would fix up the watch and wear it! It's gorgeous and they don't make watches like this anymore.

I agree! I love these antique watches.

 

[Kelly12]

If not too costly, I would fix up the watch and wear it! It's gorgeous and they don't make watches like this anymore.

I agree! The watch is classical , unique and pretty!!!I love it!!!