Need info on pocket watches

[Drac]

Good day all,

Now that I have two waistcoats I am considering a pocket watch. Unfortunately I don't know squat about them

I went on to Amazon and the ranged from $5US to $200US+. Some have chains, some have hooks, some have clips, and some have Elvis.

Can some of the more experienced people lend there expertise?

Thx,
Jim

[Tobus]

It's really just a matter of personal taste. For wearing with a waistcoat, you will just want to make sure that the watch has a ring (or clasp) for attaching a chain to. You can then purchase chains separately and mix/match them as you like.

Pocket watch rings seem to be somewhat standard, or will at least work with a wide range of chains and such. But beware: some watches are sold without any provision for this, as they are meant to go in a trouser pocket or a belt pouch.

Edited to add:

Just for visual purposes, here is what a typical ring will look like. And you can see how a typical chain connects to it.

[KiltedTrooper]

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com has a good selection at decent prices for a first timer. I have one from them. My girlfriend gave me a spring powered one for Christmas she got from the Dakota Watch Company. I am sure they have a website if you search for it.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

You might also want to consider an older pocket watch. Generally speaking a good quality watch dating from the period 1900-1940 can be had for around $125-$200, or a lot more if the case is gold, rather than gold plated. My "everyday" pocket watch dates from 1921 and keeps excellent time, as long as I remember to wind it!

[McMurdo]

You might also want to consider an older pocket watch. Generally speaking a good quality watch dating from the period 1900-1940 can be had for around $125-$200, or a lot more if the case is gold, rather than gold plated. My "everyday" pocket watch dates from 1921 and keeps excellent time, as long as I remember to wind it!

I have to agree, a few years ago I picked up a 1915 Waltham pocket watch that still keeps time wonderfully, and to my mind looks far superior to the new chrome or gold plated variety.

[Tobus]

No doubt, the older pocket watches look so much better than new ones. I just haven't found one yet that both suits my style and is affordable! Older watches seem to be in fairly high demand, especially with the Steampunk crowd buying them all up.

[creagdhubh]

You might also want to consider an older pocket watch. Generally speaking a good quality watch dating from the period 1900-1940 can be had for around $125-$200, or a lot more if the case is gold, rather than gold plated. My "everyday" pocket watch dates from 1921 and keeps excellent time, as long as I remember to wind it!

Excellent point. My pocket watch is from the 1920's as well, as I did not wish to purchase a 'brand new' one.

Cheers,

[Piipriker]

No doubt, the older pocket watches look so much better than new ones. I just haven't found one yet that both suits my style and is affordable! Older watches seem to be in fairly high demand, especially with the Steampunk crowd buying them all up.

I'm lucky to have an old one from my grandfather, that I got because we have the same initials.

And ... before someone asks. It's not for sale.

One problem with old watches is, they are not completely tight. After several years in the watch pocket of jeans, the inside was full of lint, and a complete cleaning was due. My watchmaker advised me, to put the watch in a silk-lined pocket at best, or at least not in rough cotton.

Silver with Niello inlays:

[Bugbear]

I have used a spring-wound pocket watch for about twenty-five years now. I have been told by many watch repair people to only wind it once a day, and always push down the lid-release when closing it (so it doesn't wear the lid by snapping across the latch). These have become habits to me, and I cringe when someone asks to see my watch, then snaps the lid shut and starts winding it.

It is a polished, stainless-steel construction with Swiss action * edit: I mean movement*, and has a chain of the same steel. It does have scratches after all these years, but does not have a plating that might wear off and show through to brass or some other metal. I have had to replace the clips on the end of the chain once, but that was easy enough, and I prefer to use a fob on one end of the chain rather than clipping it to something.

The cheaper watches seem to be disposable; however, if you purchase a moderate to expensive watch, you will want to locate a watch repair shop to have it cleaned and maintained from time to time.

Hope that helps a little, and good luck.

[auld argonian]

Like most things made now I'm sure that the movements will all be the same (mechanical or battery operated) and the only thing that's going to be different is the case. Granted that 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?

Thus, I'd say go with the Elvis...kilted Elvis would be much better...if you find some of those, let us know.

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.

As far as accuracy goes...I suppose that if you're timing yacht races or dropping bombs (my dad was a navigator in WWII so we hear stories about accurate instruments) it's very important but most modern quartz movements are dreadfully accurate...you don't get the satisfaction of winding them but if you want that then I see that Gentleman's Emporium has some decent looking mechanical ones for nicely under $100.

Indulge but don't feel like you have to blow the wad on this one...save it for another kilt!

Best

AA