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Steineck Kamerawerk Steineck ABC Watch Camera

The Steineck ABC is a German subminiature camera from Steineckkamerawerk, designed to be worn on the wrist like a watch. Introduced in the late 1940s, it was a novelty-format camera that exposed small circular images on a disc of film, and is today collected primarily for its unusual form factor rather than its photographic capability.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Steineck ABC have ranged from around £480 to £2,600, with mid-tier examples typically worth in the region of £800–£1,400 at saleroom level (wholesale, before buyer's premium). As of 2026, what the camera sells for is highly condition-dependent: complete sets with the original wrist strap, case and tin tend to command the strongest prices, while loose bodies with plating loss or missing accessories sit toward the lower end of the value range.

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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.

Date Price Source
Jun 2024 EUR 1,300 Leitz Auction
Nov 2022 EUR 1,400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2019 EUR 650 Leitz Auction
Jun 2019 EUR 1,000 Leitz Auction
Mar 2018 EUR 1,300 Leitz Auction
Jun 2017 EUR 750 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Nov 2015 EUR 900 Leitz Auction
Jun 2015 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Jun 2015 EUR 1,500 Leitz Auction
Mar 2014 EUR 750 Leitz Auction
Nov 2013 EUR 750 Leitz Auction
Nov 2013 EUR 800 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 1,400 Leitz Auction
May 2012 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 650 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
May 2007 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
May 2006 EUR 800 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 EUR 1,320 Leitz Auction
May 2005 £420 Christie's
Feb 2005 £480 Christie's
Feb 2004 £657 Christie's
May 2003 £940 Christie's
Jul 2002 £1,410 Christie's
Feb 2002 £2,585 Christie's
Feb 2002 £5,640 Christie's
Nov 2000 £822 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Steineck ABC Watch Camera worth today?

UK auction results over recent years span roughly £480 to £2,600 at hammer, with complete, cosmetically clean examples generally sitting in the £800–£1,400 band.

How much does a Steineck ABC sell for with its original accessories?

Sets that include the wrist strap, tin and paperwork have reached the upper end of the price range at auction, while bodies sold on their own tend to achieve materially less.

Why do prices for the Steineck ABC vary so widely?

Condition of the chrome plating, completeness of accessories, and the presence of the original film disc all move the value significantly, which is why recent hammer prices stretch from the low hundreds to several thousand pounds.

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