Need info on pocket watches

[Grizzly]

My OH bought me a pocket watch from ebay for about £20 at current exchange rates and in our somewhat dubious economy is about $4 million dollars or whatever. It has a skeleton movement and is a very nice pocket watch. I have kept it going continuously by winding everyday and it has kept exceptional time judged against my Rolex submariner. I cant fault it for £20 its a bargain. If I do drop it then its cheap enough to replace. I know you can spend $$$s but IMHO my £20 cheapo is worth ten times as much.

I do have an heirloom Waltham but its too precious to me to actually wear it.

[CelticSire]

It might be easier to make a selection if you can narrow down exactly what style you want. There are two main types of pocket watch movements: savonette and lepine. The difference is the relationship between the face and the winding stem. If the winding stem is at the "3" position, then the watch is a savonnette. If the winding stem is at the "12" position, then the watch is a lepine. The case comes in three basic styles: open face (self-explanatory), hunter, and half-hunter. Hunter means that the face of the watch has a lid which covers the face of the watch which must be opened to read the time. Half-hunter cases have an opening in the lid, usually covered by glass, which allows one to read the time without opening the cover. This is a compromise between protection and ease of use. A consular case is a hunter that also has a rear hinged cover that allows access to the watch movement.

[Mickey]

I have three. One is my great-grandfather's watch. I haven't seen it in a few years, which means it was either swiped by my son when he was little or it is still safely packed from a previous move. Something I would never wear for fear of loss.

Of the other two, the first was an ebay buy for $1.50. Shipping was three times the cost. It is cheaply made but pretty. It is quartz and keeps excellent time.



My wife bought me this one from a store a couple of months ago, for somewhere in the neighborhood of $50, give or take some. It is very heavy, mechanical wind, and keeps excellent time. The only thing I don't like about it is that the crystal is plastic.



Just find something you like a go with it. I have my eye on many that are in a case at our local antique store. Beautiful pieces, relatively fair priced, but each has a tag that says "as is". I need to do a lot of research to find which would be a good value after getting it running. But in the meantime, these get the job done just fine.

[A Hay]

The discussion on this thread has been interesting and informative.

For myself, I did not have any watch handed down to me so when I decided to look for a pocket watch to complete my wardrobe, I was directed to the website of the Celtic Shop in the UK. I selected a two-toned Scottish Thistle design in a battery operated model. Cost was about 25 pounds plus postage.

I've been very pleased with it and it keeps good time. Had a lot of nice comments on it also.

http://www.thecelticshop.co.uk/pocke...mackintosh.htm

Tom

[madmacs]

The only thing I don't like about it is that the crystal is plastic.

What's wrong with plastic???? both of my submariners have plastic crystals... Just keep some toothpaste around, or invest in some polywatch...

And while i'm suggesting watch stuff... If you're fed up paying to have batteries replaced in screw back watches because you dont have the tools, try one of these...



Best $7 you'll spend if you have a lot of battery powered watches...

http://www.ofrei.com/page557.html

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

Readers:
Just a few notes here: historicaly the pocket that held the watch was lined in chamois, kidskin or some soft leather(with no bottom seam) in order to keep out the lint & misc. from a cloth/fabrick pocket lining, from the insides of a pocket watch.
Note also, it was once the custom to wear the pocket watch in the top pocket of the suit coat, the button hole in the lapel was were the other end of the chain-or ect- was hooked to.
Lastly, it does not have to be a chain to hold the watch. Sometimes it was silk ribbands, or a narrow, woven fabrick tape, braided hemp, or whatever held your fancy. The chain fashion is now a sterotype, not a universal. If you can find an Inkle weaver, or someone who uses a tape loom, you can have a fine black/silver, narrow wool/silk/or ect tape made for the watch. I have recently made on my inkle loom a hemp tape for my pocket watch I use for everyday. For the record, I have worn a pocket watch since circa 1970, and would never buy a wristwatch. I also own several antique watches, & quite agree: buy a modern one, if you loose it, or break it-Ho Hum.
A good question
CSA
Historick Tailor

[guzzinut]

I have a couple of the stainless "double-hunters" made by Charles-Hubert out of Paris....17 jewel movement for a reasonable price and a decent warranty. I got mine from http://www.ipocketwatches.com

[linedrive]

Let me warn you, the fascination with pocket watches can be like the draw of the kilt. There are some very reputable dealers out there (eBay and the likes), but the general rule of thumb is read a bunch on the subject and then make a purchase after about six months. I didn't have to wait that long (to antsy to part with money), but I did purchase quite a few books and then every chance that I found a pocket watch in a thrift store or antique shop I would look at it. It's really simple on most watches to screw off the back and see the workings. I typically would pick up a watch, wind it and then give it a soft shake to get the movement working. You might come back the next day and see if it is still running.

The American watch in the 1890s to 1930s was top of the line. the Swiss perfected things when the transition made to wrist watchs. Find out what style you like, what period (early watches tend to be roman numeral), and find something that appeals to you. If you can pull the serial number in the movement (you have to open up the back for this, many of us here can probably date it. Stay away from no jewel watches (the jewels act as bearings).

Good luck!
... Line