Choosing the Best Pocket Watches

Pocket watches combine luxury, elegance, and a nod to history, offering a unique way to tell time beyond your smartphone. While smartwatches offer functionality at a lower cost, pocket watches speak the language of style and tradition.

Types of Pocket Watches

Pocket watches come in several distinct types:

• Traditional Watches: Usually closed-faced, made of gold or silver, with options for engraving.
• Railroad Watches: Open-faced and compliant with precise standards for accuracy, common size is 16 or 18.
• Skeleton Watches: Show their intricate internal gear structure, often combined with other styles.
• Unisex Watches: Designed in a way that appeals to both men and women.

Important Dimensions

Pocket watches have two critical dimensions:

• Movement: Refers to the watch’s internal mechanism, can range from size 000000 to over 25.
• Case Diameter: Depends on fashion preferences, as it need not match the movement size.

Power Sources

Pocket watches rely on either mechanical or quartz movements:

• Mechanical: Uses a hand-wound spring to power the watch. Needs daily winding.
• Quartz: Uses a quartz crystal and battery. Fewer parts than mechanical watches, no winding needed.

Face Types

Pocket watches are available as either closed- or open-faced:

• Closed Faces: Offer better protection, were the only type until late 1800s.
• Open Faces: Popularized for railroad watches, primarily a stylistic option today.

Materials and Style

Choosing a pocket watch involves considerations of materials and style:

• Materials: Cases often use stainless steel, bronze, silver, or gold. Gears must avoid magnetic metals.
• Style: Varies widely, from case engravings to face numerals and skeleton designs.

Price Range

Pocket watches can range from less than $20 to thousands. Elegant designs start from $100. Quality options can be found between $50-$100.

FAQs

Do I need a chain for my pocket watch? Chains are not necessary but add both functionality and style. Most watches include matching chains for added convenience.

How do I maintain a pocket watch? Regularly wind mechanical watches and apply watch oil to keep gears lubricated. Repairs require specialized watchmakers.

Top Pocket Watch Recommendations

Tissot Savonnette Pocket Watch

This Swiss-made timepiece offers elegance and functionality, featuring a quartz movement, stainless steel construction, and water resistance up to 30 meters.

Charles-Hubert Paris Men’s Classic Mechanical Pocket Watch

Combining intricate design with reliability, this watch includes skeleton features and a mechanical movement, backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Stuhrling Original Men’s Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watch

Elegant and durable, this watch offers a variety of designs, scratch-resistant crystal, and a mechanical power source. Note daily winding requirements and potential finish wear on gold models.