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Houghton Ticka Watch

The Houghton Ticka is a British subminiature camera styled as a pocket watch, produced by Houghton Ltd of London in the early twentieth century. It was sold as a concealable, pocket-portable novelty camera rather than a conventional hand-held, with the lens mounted in what appears to be the watch's winding stem.

At recent UK auction, Ticka Watch cameras have sold for hammer prices between roughly £70 and £950, with a median around £280 across the sales on record. As of 2026, condition, completeness of the outfit (original tin, paperwork and spools) and whether the shutter still works are the main factors driving how much an example sells for, and outliers at the top end reflect exceptionally clean cased examples rather than typical worth.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: April 2026

Date Price Source
Apr 2026 £262 Flints Auctions
Nov 2025 £288 Flints Auctions
Jun 2024 £50 Special Auction Services
Jan 2024 £275 Flints Auctions
Aug 2023 £70 Special Auction Services
Jun 2022 £438 Flints Auctions
Nov 2020 EUR 300 Leitz Auction
Nov 2019 EUR 950 Leitz Auction
Nov 2018 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Mar 2014 EUR 550 Leitz Auction
Nov 2007 EUR 320 Leitz Auction
Mar 2004 £215 Christie's
Mar 2004 £191 Christie's
Nov 2003 £129 Christie's
Sep 2003 £152 Christie's
Mar 2003 £329 Christie's
Dec 2002 £376 Christie's
Nov 2002 £117 Christie's
Jul 2002 £152 Christie's
Feb 2002 £199 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Houghton Ticka Watch camera worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results put the value of a Ticka Watch camera at roughly £70 to £950, with a typical price around £275–£290 for a presentable example.

How much does a Ticka Watch camera sell for at auction?

Most hammer prices fall in the £150–£440 band, with cased, complete examples selling for more and stripped or incomplete bodies at the lower end.

Why do Ticka prices vary so widely?

The range reflects condition and completeness: a bare body with a tired shutter sells for a fraction of a clean outfit that still has its original tin, spools and instructions.

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