Hi there,

is there some good primer on pocket watches around here (or on the web) ... ?

I'd like to dive a little bit deeper into this area, I think I have fairly decent knowledge on vintage wristwatches (at least enough to keep me out of trouble ) ... but on pocket watches I only know ...

Prices for those seem to be all over the place some ridiculously low, others not so much - which makes me wonder why this is so ... ... what are the "drivers" for a pocket watch's value/desirability?

I get the feeling that they represent a way better "technical" bang for the buck than wristwatches, they seem to be suffering from the fact that the lifestyle has changed so much, it makes them worthless ...

but then again, I keep seeing more and more people that have no wristwatches and when they need to tell the time, they pull out a large a$$ cel phone of the pocket, type in a secret code or do a secret swipe and then get to know the time ...

so ... any cliffnotes on pockets?

cheers,
al

 

The world of pocket watches is fascinating. I began collecting them in 2004, especially 18th century watches and enameled watches. Complicated watches (minute repeater for example) are also very interesting, and you don't need to sell a kidney to buy a nice example
Here is my website with lots of pictures : http://www.thepocketwatchspecialist.com

 

Pocket watches went in your pocket. They have a fob.

Wrist watches go on your wrist. They have a strap.

That about covers the basics.

 

Silly question but what is a fob. If i don't ask i never learn

 

isnt a fob a "thingy"? ... like a key-fob?

(hey, do I ACTUALLY school on pocket watches now ? )
Al

 

A good place to ask questions and learn is http://mb.nawcc.org/index.php there are forums for American pocket watches, European pocket watches, Wrist watches, and watch repair.

 

I forgot to mention my forum : http://www.pocketwatchesforum.com

 

A watch fob. The strap is fitted through the bow (ring) on the watch case, the watch being worn either in the watch pocket on trousers, or a vest pocket. The medallion is hung outside the pocket, on display.

 

My 2.cents. A pocket watch is a hefty piece you can hold and feel in the palm of your hand. The relationship is somewhat more intimate than with a wristwatch. Every time you check the time, you take the pocket watch in your hand. You just can't do that with a wrist watch.

 

thx for the input ... so a Q to all PW users: how often do you actually use it? ... how practical/unpractical is it in today's lifestyle? ... If I buy one, its not to sit on a shelf or in a safe ...

cheers, Al

 

An acquaintance of mine on another MB has carried a 16-size Hamilton 992 B as his only watch for over 20 years! I have a Waltham 16-size Crescent Street 1908 model that was carried as his only watch, by a fireman/engineer on the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1917 to about 1965 when he retired! 47 years! It has 35 repair numbers inside the case back. I carry the odd one out of my collection about one month out of the year. I gravitate to my wrist watch collection for my daily wearers. If you decide to wear a pocket watch lots, learn about wearing them safely, and be prepared to shell out for repairs when the inevitable accident happens. For their larger size, pocket watches are (IMO) more susceptible to damage than most modern wrist watches.

 

I wear mine once every fortnight, on rotation with other pieces. I put it inside the top front external pocket of my leather jacket, with a chain hanging out.

 

I wear a pocket watch about once a week.

 

I wrote an article for Hodinkee a few weeks ago which is sort of a pocket watch primer for the wrist watch collector. Here is the link:

http://www.hodinkee.com/articles/american-pocket-watches-a-primer-for-the-wristwatch-collector

I have been collecting pocket watches for 30+ years. I love my wrist watches but if you like the mechanical aspect of watches it is hard to beat pockets. They are bigger and generally their movements are more accessible. Also, as I state at the end of the article, prices for all but the best pocket watch prices are at a 20 year low. I doubt they will recover much in the short term but right now is a great time to learn enough to make some good purchases. There is a lot of good stuff in good condition out there at very reasonable prices.

JohnCote

 

John, thanks for the article link. An informative read.

I just bought my first pocket watch a couple of days ago, for the same price it sold for at auction in 2001... and I think I might have overpaid. Interesting how different the pocket watch price trajectory has been from wristwatch prices over the past decade or so.

 

Very good advice. I like the little watch fobs that hang from your fob pocket, but I always use a short chain looped to my belt to reduce the risk of dropping a very fragile item on the floor.

I wish I wore three piece suits, nothing looks nicer than a watch chain across the front of the waistcoat and a nice watch resting in it's dedicated pocket. My Grandfather never wore anything else.

(Not my Grandfather, but you get the idea).

 

You are welcome. The pocket watch price trajectory is interesting and it is understandable. Pocket watches were hot for quite a while. They were perhaps at their high a few years before the crash, perhaps 10 or 11 years ago. However, the collectors were, for the most part, old guys. I think I am an old guy but I was relatively young at the time. These old guys who had been collecting for years had accumulated huge hoards of watches. These old guys are now dead or dying and their watches are flooding the market.

The nice thing is that if you chose wisely, your pocket watches are still worth some money. If you bought common railroad watches you are getting killed.

There are great deals to be had if you just want a really nice watch.

JohnCote

 

There are a lot worse places to put your discretionary income than watches. Cigarettes, whiskey, wild women, and the list goes on. Until such time as the executor of my estate has to deal with what to do with my assets, some time in the future, I will derive pleasure out of my watches that can't be measured in dollars. With bank interest less than inflation, you might as well put your money into something you'll enjoy, and can use. And the day I meet my demise, someone will fill a dumpster with assets of mine that will NOT include my watches!

 

very well said [emoji4] [emoji122]