Glossary · Collecting
Frankenwatch
A watch assembled from parts of different watches and presented as original.
Explanation
A frankenwatch is a watch assembled from mismatched parts — a dial, movement and case that did not start life together — and sold, knowingly or not, as if original. Clues include wrong-case screw marks, dial feet that do not match the movement, inconsistent serial numbers and styles from different periods. Marriages and recased watches are related but usually honestly described; a frankenwatch implies intent to deceive.