Pocket Watches with PC

**TNScotsman** · 17th December 22, 08:26 AM

So I'm looking forward to celebrating Christmas Eve service and dinner after in PC this year as it's the first Christmas I have the outfit. The church service is in the evening, and while people don't wear tuxedos, there is a long history of PC being worn to the service by several members so I'm in line with accepted practice for the event. I wore the kilt with an Argyll jacket and waistcoat last year and got several compliments on being kilted, it's a great group of people.

I'm curious about thoughts on the wearing of a pocket watch with PC. While it's generally ignored today, the very traditional view is that you never wear a wristwatch with black tie. For a pocket watch, I've seen discussions that it should be entirely concealed, but others feel it's OK for the chain to be draped from a button hole on the waistcoat. What are the thoughts of my fellow XMarkers?

**Holcombe Thomas** · 17th December 22, 10:56 AM

I wear a pocket watch with a PC and don't worry much about the old rule of not wearing watches with formal attire. I don't wear suits to work nowadays and thus have little opportunity to wear the pocket watch unless for the rare formal occasion. (FWIW, I also wear the pocket watch if wearing a tuxedo.)

Holcombe

**Steve Ashton** · 17th December 22, 02:02 PM

I'm one of those who do not wear a timepiece of any sort with Black Tie.

It seems that those who do wear a pocket watch do not wear it to tell the time but to show off their watch chain and fob. I used to wear a watch chain but these days try to keep Black Tie as simple and elegant as possible so pare down the accessories as much as I can.

**TNScotsman** · 17th December 22, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

I'm one of those who do not wear a timepiece of any sort with Black Tie.

It seems that those who do wear a pocket watch do not wear it to tell the time but to show off their watch chain and fob. I used to wear a watch chain but these days try to keep Black Tie as simple and elegant as possible so pare down the accessories as much as I can.

I'm certainly leaning towards keeping my watch discreetly tucked into a pocket and not showing off the chain. Personally I don't mind the look of a nice chain, but at the wedding I was in wearing PC I kept a watch with fob tucked into my waistcoat pocket and not showing. In that case I needed a watch as the best man, if only to confirm how late things were running while we waited to be called for the start!

**Father Bill** · 17th December 22, 02:41 PM

I've never worried about wearing a watch with any variation. It's normally covered by my shirt cuff (a lot of guys wear too short a shirtsleeve) but I won't wear any watch that might be considered 'gaudy', and with more formal or traditional wear, I use a simple watch with a dark wristband. Thus, it's out of sight most of the time, and if it does peek out, it's unlikely to be noticed.

**McMurdo** · 17th December 22, 04:58 PM

I've done it in the past and would probably do it again. My only bit if advice would be to match your metals for evening I would go with silver.

**Jock Scot** · 18th December 22, 03:53 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I've done it in the past and would probably do it again. My only bit if advice would be to match your metals for evening I would go with silver.

On this rare occasion I would have to disagree with Glen, matching the watch chain metals is an unnecessary detail. Perhaps a pocket watch with a fob might solve the problem if it really bothers you?

**McMurdo** · 18th December 22, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

On this rare occasion I would have to disagree with Glen, matching the watch chain metals is an unnecessary detail. Perhaps a pocket watch with a fob might solve the problem if it really bothers you?

Fair enough, this pocket watch, fob and chain were a 50th birthday present to myself, as I already had a brass set I purchased silver all from ebay, the fob is Victorian, the chain is modern and the watch itself is from the 1970's. I reserve this set for evening wear as I use the brass for day wear. I will say if you want to wear a pocket watch and you only have one, then wear what you have.