See full version: The Best Modern Pocket Watches; How to Wear Them
Another German brand, Hanhart offers traditional pocket watches as well as a range of hand-held stopwatches. The Hanhart pocket watch offers a few variations, including different dial colors and bezels, with 55mm stainless steel cases or “black chrome”-plated brass ones. The fluted bezel option echoes the brand’s well-known WWII pilot watches, and is powered by a Unitas 6497 hand-wound movement. Hanhart’s table-top stands add to their versatility.
Longines recalls its watches’ role in the railroad in a more appropriate way than a wristwatch could. With a lacquered dial, blued steel hands, and an exclusive hand-wound L513.2 movement with 53 hours of power reserve partially visible through the case back, the Heritage Railroad watch measures 49.5mm wide.
Pocket watches had a good, long run of popularity between the 16th and 20th centuries, when they were simply called “watches” before the later need to distinguish them from wristwatches. Using a pocket watch can be a satisfying experience, which impart a hefty weight in the hand and elegant details. Pocket watches come in different sizes, and sometimes offer features like hinged lids (“hunter-style”) and/or case backs that can be canvases for art and engravings — providing interesting possibilities for personalized gifts.
Laco is known for its WWII pilot watches, but here the German brand draws on another side of its heritage. The Navy Wilhelmshaven pocket watch is 58mm wide and 10mm thick, powered by an elaboré-grade ETA 6497.1 manually wound Swiss movement. This version has a case back window to display the movement, though a version with a solid case back is also available for about $150 less.
Well known for offering some of the strongest value out there in mechanical wristwatches, Japanese Orient Watch Company also makes the odd pocket watch. Here is a good example, with a manually wound Japanese movement featuring a 40-hour power reserve and even a handy power reserve indicator on the dial. Premium features like sapphire crystal sweeten the deal. here
Pocket watches may seem to some about as relevant and appropriate to contemporary life as, say, top hats and monocles, but the experience of using one will feel familiar to anyone who has pulled a phone out of his or her pocket to check the time. Hardly less anachronistic or obsolete than wrist watches, for example, there’s no practical reason not to rock one if it strikes your fancy. Here’s how it works: One end of a chain or strap attaches to a button hole (say, in a vest or jacket’s lapel) or belt loop. The other end holds the watch, which resides in a pocket. The chain makes the watch easy to access quickly and protects the watch from accidental drops.
All antique pocket watches are not created equal. Some of the most valuable watches are railroad pocket watches because they were produced with government-required exacting standards to ensure they kept accurate time. It was important to keep trains running in a timely manner both for the convenience of passengers during the steam train era and to avoid catastrophic collisions that could occur if schedules were not followed to the minute.
There are several keys to determining the value of a pocket watch; they include adjustments, jewels, brand name, and whether or not the timepiece has been converted to become a wristwatch.
Selling price: $517.50 not including buyer's premium (Morphy Auctions - 1/11)
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Why not add an engraving to your pocket watch to make a gift or occasion extra special, guaranteed to be cherished by the recipient for years to come.
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Many years ago, pocket watches were common accessories in men's fashion. Pocket watches are still available for purchase and many are handed down as heirlooms. If the pocket watch style is right up your alley, have your heirloom watch repaired or purchase one new or used. Then you can include it in outfits by doing things like keeping it in a pocket and looping the chain through a buttonhole.