Glossary · Collecting
Re-cased
A movement housed in a case other than the one it left the factory in.
Explanation
A re-cased watch is a movement moved from its original case into another — common when gold cases were scrapped for their metal value. Re-casing destroys the historical pairing of movement and case, and a premium case can be used to disguise an ordinary movement. Mismatched case and movement numbers, wrong screw marks and ill-fitting dials are the usual signs.
In the object catalogue
Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Re-cased”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.
Pocket watch
Audemars Piguet for Shreve & Co. 14k Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch
“Recased Status: Movement re-cased with a new dial”
Pocket watch
Johann Holtzmann Neo-Renaissance Pendant Watch
“This pendant watch is an ornamental timepiece featuring an octagonal case constructed from faceted rock crystal and a silver frame decorated with polychrome cloisonné enamel. Th…”