Should You Buy A Pocket Watch?

When you get into watches it will only be a matter of time before you stumble across pocket watches and wonder if you should buy one. The short answer is yes, if you like the look of it and the cost is right, then why not. However, there are more things to know and consider which I will go through below.

What Are Pocket Watches?

Pocket watches are the original watches. Before wrist watches people would carry a watch in their pocket attached to a little chain so it would not get lost.

The watches are usually slightly bigger than the watch cases we use today for wrist watches and they would normally have their crown at the 12 o’clock position, along with a loop where the chain could be attached.

Pocket watches also quite often have protective case built in, which covers the crystal. These work exactly like a locket necklace and can be opened by hand or sometimes a mechanism. There is also sometimes the same system on the back, allowing you to open it up and see inside and look at the movement. 

Like watches there where originally mechanical, but now you can find many quartz powered pocket watches.

Who Uses Pocket Watches?

Honestly, they are pretty obsolete these days. Wrist watches have certainly taken over the market and fashion trends. However, it is often joked that pocket watches are actually way more common than we realise …in fact we all have one and we use it every day, we just call it our phone.

Anyway, you fill find that when pocket watches where more popular, they actually affected fashion. Many clothes had a little pocket sown into them to hold the watch and the chain was actually introduced so you attach it to your clothes in case it fell out then it would not drop to the floor.

We can still see some of these pockets today, most notably on our formal attire. If you have ever worn a three piece suit, you will see the little pocket on the vest for the watch. This has lead to pocket watches still being quite popular for formal occasions.

However, this is not the only place you can still see this little pocket. You are probably wearing an item of clothing right now that is designed for a pocket watch …Jeans. Yes, that little pocket is actually for a pocket watch. For some reason the pocket has remain, even if our use of pocket watches has not. Maybe they are predicting they will come back in fashion one day?

(You can read more about – Will Wearing Watches Go Out Of Style?)

Should You Get A Pocket Watch?

If You Like The Look

The simple answer to this question is yes. If you like the look of the pocket watch just get it.

Your entire watch collection should be based on this approach, not what other people think or say about the watch. If you are looking at them and think they are the coolest thing ever, you should probably get yourself one. You are clearly going to enjoy it.

The fact you can often see the mechanical movement, along with them generally being larger than wrist watches means you can really see the inner workings, which are often mesmerising to watch and its worth having one if you like this kind of thing.

Functionality

A big question you need to ask yourself before getting one is will you use it? The functionality of a pocket watch is very different to a wrist watch. You have to physically remove it from your pocket and look it. You can’t just quickly glance at it while it’s on your wrist.

However, you don’t actually have to use it. If you buy it, knowing you will only keep it on your desk and look at it occasionally that is totally fine. It is then down to you to decide if you can justify buying one to only look at and enjoy, rather than use it for its full purpose.

You Don’t Like Things On Your Wrist

If you don’t like the look or feel of a wrist watch, or anything on your wrist, then a pocket watch is the perfect solution.

I would argue that wearing a watch (or any jewellery) will feel uncomfortable at the beginning. Well, uncomfortable is not the right word. You should just be very aware of the watch and you will constantly be noticing it.

However, very quickly this feeling will fade and in fact you will become so used to it that you will actually start to feel that awkward feeling when you are not wearing it, as if something is missing.

A Wrist Watch Might Get In The Way

Certain jobs or activities may just not be suitable with a wrist watch; they might just get in the way.

This is commonly seen with nurses, who for hygiene reasons do not wear watches. However, a pocket watch will not work for them either as they are often too busy with their hands to get it out, which is why they wear fob watches.

If you are just worried that your wrist watch could be damaged while working you could look into really sturdy watches such as a G-shock. It is going to handle pretty much anything you can throw it.

If you just feel it a wrist watch would be in the way, then a pocket watch is probably going to be a great idea.

You Like The History

If you are into the history of horology and you like the how pocket watches are a part of this, then you should get one.

Pocket watches are an important piece of the horological story; they allowed us to have time with us anywhere we went. They where mobile clocks, that as we know, turned into the wrist watches we all use today.

To be able to have a part of that history in your hand and to be able to enjoy it yourself is always quite special and can certainly justify owning a pocket watch.

They Can Become An Heirloom

If you already own a pocket watch it is very likely that it is something that has been passed down to you. If you buy one now, you could do the exact same thing.

If you end up buying a nice pocket watch there is no reason why it cannot become an heirloom that you can pass down.

Quality

If you are looking to buy one you need to be careful what you get. There are a lot of vintage watches out there that are not in great condition. It may cost you a lot of money to get them to into a workable state, but of course you can find some absolute gems.

If you want to buy a new pocket watch you will also need to look quite hard to find a good quality one. As they are now seen more as a fashion accessory to go with your suit, they can often be cheap and often have quartz movements.

While these watches are fine and look good for their purpose, but they will probably not stand the test of time compared to a well put together mechanical piece. If you want your pocket watch to be an heirloom you should try and get a better quality one so it can last and also hold some value.

(You can read more about – Why You Should Avoid Fashion Watches)

Conclusion

Pocket watches are pretty cool and a nice piece of history. While they may not be as relevant today I still think they can serve a purpose and more importantly I believe they have earned the right to be any ones collection.

If you see one you like and the price is right you should not hesitate to get it. You will probably find it brings you a lot of joy as well as it being something a little bit different to what you already have.     

(You can read more about – Watch Collecting Mistakes You Should Avoid)