Need info on pocket watches

[RAF]

My advice would be: 1. Do a lot of looking if you want to buy a good quality vintage pocket watch. There is a lot of info on the web re: pocket watches - do a fair amount of research, before shopping so you know what's being presented to you. 2. Take your time (no pun intended.) There is a huge selection, new and old, to choose from, and just about as many sources. 3. Pay attention to size. The range is 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. The face of a 12 is about 1 9/16" in diameter. Average increase from one size to the next is about 1/16". And while on the subject of size, try to find a chain in a similar color and/or material with a scale that suits the style and size of the watch. My opinion is that smaller watches are better for smaller guys, and larger watches for larger guys. Of course this is just my preference. I have a gold watch (c.1888 = needs to be wound) given to me as a gift, which I love because it is smaller and suits my small hands. 4. What ever you get, enjoy it! Here's my baby below...

[JSFMACLJR]

Excellent advice and suggestions, to which I wholeheartedly agree. I happen to be wearing my pocket watch today, an old Girard-Perregaux.

[artificer]

... there are probably some companies out there who are still doing hand crafted mechanical movements for the very top end of the market (aka the people who have more money than they have common sense...don't worry, I can already give you a list of the forum members who will take exception to that) but if you want to spend that kind of money on a timepiece, it's not really because you need to know what time it is, eh?
...

That would be one of the bonuses of buying an older mechanical watch. Movements (functional) can be had for under $120US and can be fitted into a case of your choice. Real jeweled movements, the type you'd pay $500-$$$$$$$ for new.

Even the least expensive mass produced movements made today are usually move accurate and durable than many of the best "old" movements. The nice thing about the newer and affordable watches is that when it breaks, you just say, "Oh, well" and go buy a new one...when it's a priceless antique and it breaks, you have to go seek a high priest (watch repairman) who can heal it and charge you more than twenty new ones would have cost. New watch breaks = bad break; antique watch breaks = tragedy. You can go on about the pride of ownership derived from having a venerable and irreplaceable timepiece but at that point, I think, you don't own the watch, the watch owns you.
...
AA

There is something of a false economy here. Spending $40-100 several times on a new piece of junk (and let's face it, much of what is made today IS garbage) only contributes to waste and the land fill. Having a quality antique piece you may have paid $200 for occasionally cleaned or tuned might run $50-100, but when you're done, you've still got the nice watch & haven't thrown something ELSE into the ever-growing piles of garbage. If you're lucky, your watch may increase in value over time as well.

Obviously you're not going to carry a precious family heirloom around in your jeans pocket- that would be a recipe for disaster. But there IS a certain joy that can be derived from owning something with history.

I inherited my Great Great Grandfather's 1902 Hamilton in a gold hunter's case (I'm the fifth generation to own it). Would I wear it to the park to play catch with my son? No. Is it something I take joy in wearing out for a lovely evening - ABSOLUTELY!

As far as which owns the other- I think the answer is "Neither". I am simply it's steward for now. Eventually my son will take care of it, and hopefully enjoy it as much as I am now.

ith:

[Drac]

I have to say I'm a bit lost. Hopefully I am explaining myself without offending anyone...

What do I look for? I know very little about watches. My standard is the Casio GeoShock on my wrist.

Just buying something old could still get me garbage. Sorry to say that they made garbage back then in knives like they do now so I am pretty sure it is the same in watches.

I do want something nice that would go with a nice evening. A nice one that is appropriate for use a few time a year.

Though it seems that a couple of those who have antiques inherited it from someone and will pass it on to someone. Not the case for me since no one has one that will come to me and I don't (and won't) have kids there is no one to give it too after I pass on.

Jim

[Kilted Cole]

I'm new to the pocket watch as well...my question is what is the fob for and how does one proporly wear it with the watch? Thank you for setting up this post and thank you everyone else for such informative post as well.

[McMurdo]

Post deleted

[Orvis]

Although I have antique pocket watches (some need restoration $$$), I have a couple of manual-wind watches by Charles-Hubert Paris (which also supplies battery-operated watches) for about $85 each. Although they are gold or chrome-plated, mine have "skeleton" faces (so I can observe the internal action) and keep excellent time. And, if broken or lost, they can be replaced relatively inexpensively. Check http://www.charleshubertpocketwatches.com/index.htm for the Charles-Hubert range. Another website to look at is www.pocketwatcher.org for antique and new watches for sale, plus LOTS of info on watch and accessory types, and information on how to wear a watch. Looking in antique shops is a good way to acquire a good-quality antique watch or accessories without breaking the bank - just take the time to do some research and know what you are looking at to get the best deals - and know that antique dealers usually jack the price way up if the watch or case says anything about gold or silver, regardless of the watch's quality! Antiquing is also a good way to obtain watch chains and various types of fobs. Ebay is also another source, if you know what you're looking for. For wearing a pocket watch on my waistcoat/vest, I prefer a watch chain with a T-bar at one end (to go through the buttonhole). I usually use a metal fob on a leather strap to carry my timepiece in my jeans watch pocket.

[Tobus]

I have to say I'm a bit lost. Hopefully I am explaining myself without offending anyone...

What do I look for? I know very little about watches. My standard is the Casio GeoShock on my wrist.

Just buying something old could still get me garbage. Sorry to say that they made garbage back then in knives like they do now so I am pretty sure it is the same in watches.

I do want something nice that would go with a nice evening. A nice one that is appropriate for use a few time a year.

Though it seems that a couple of those who have antiques inherited it from someone and will pass it on to someone. Not the case for me since no one has one that will come to me and I don't (and won't) have kids there is no one to give it too after I pass on.

Jim

Hmm, I'm trying to read between the lines and interpret what level of quality you're looking for. It sounds like you want "nice", but not "too nice", since leaving behind an heirloom is not in your plans.

So if you just want a pocket watch that looks good for an evening out while you're dressed up, only a couple of times per year, then honestly, I think any pocket watch would do. Just pick one that you like, and that is within your budget. For as little as you use it, you probably don't have to worry about buying "high quality". As long as it's not absolute garbage (the price you pay will tell you that pretty quickly), it should do fine for your purposes. Were it me, I'd stick with one made in Europe or the US. Nothing that says "made in China" or similar.

As far as looking nice, it'll be the watch chain that people see far more than the watch itself. The only glimpse they'll get of the watch is when you briefly pull it out, open it up, and check the time. But the chain is what they'll be staring at while you're in front of them.

[creagdhubh]

Nice watches Sandy and RAF!

Well done indeed,

[Pyper]

I have this one that I got for under $80 (for just the watch):

http://www.heathergems.com/New_Heath...t_for_Men.html

Keeps good time. Hopefully it holds up.