Pocketwatches

[Bugsy]

I'm very interested in the replies you get. I want to buy a full sized, older pocket watch to carry around with me. Maybe a GF Hamilton, or something along those lines. I'd love to see how people carry them, especially when dressed casually.

I have always loved pocket watches. When I was in college and had a saved a bit, I got my first watch at a hock shop. I still have it; it keeps perfect time and dates from about 1910 I'm told. Try hock shops; you just might find the treasure you're looking for.

 

[Imahomer]

That's a real good idea!

Thanks.

 

[Nick D]

I have that exact Coleman watch, I bought it before I came to England because it has a 24-hour dial. I was always amused by the glow in the dark hands on a fully cased pocketwatch.

 

[cufflinkmaniac]

I have always loved pocket watches. When I was in college and had a saved a bit, I got my first watch at a hock shop. I still have it; it keeps perfect time and dates from about 1910 I'm told. Try hock shops; you just might find the treasure you're looking for.

Oh trust me,I've been looking at those shops too.I found one in an antique shop,but it was beyond repair.

 

[Imahomer]

Oh trust me,I've been looking at those shops too.I found one in an antique shop,but it was beyond repair.

Well, when buying used, you'll be taking your chances unless you know something about watches.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

I'm very interested in the replies you get. I want to buy a full sized, older pocket watch to carry around with me. Maybe a GF Hamilton, or something along those lines. I'd love to see how people carry them, especially when dressed casually.

Back in the day, many men kept their pocket watch in the breast pocket of their jacket, with the T-bar through the buttonhole on the jacket's label. This was especially common if one were wearing a pullover, etc. instead of a waistcoat under the jacket.

A pocket watch is much more accessible when worn in this manner. Have you ever tried to dig your pocket watch out of your trouser pocket when sitting in the bucket seat of a sports auto or in a tight theater seat?

The disadvantage of this practice is that your watch will come vaulting out of your pocket at unexpected times, e.g., when you bend over, when you leap a puddle, or when you toss your jacket onto a chair.

 

[Tomasso]

Back in the day, many men kept their pocket watch in the breast pocket of their jacket, with the T-bar through the buttonhole on the jacket's label.

Some still do...

Even while wearing a wristwatch. :eusa_doh:

 

[dnjan]

Seriously, even the lower end watches offered by Elgin 100 years ago were made to a higher standard than modern watches.

This may be true for American-made movements, but the Swiss-made Unitas 6497 and 6498 mechanical movements are excellent. With the dollar exchange no longer quite so miserable, watches with the Unitas movements are again becoming approachable.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Mine or his?

yours...

 

[cufflinkmaniac]

yours...

$20.00 at Target.It's battery powered,not exceptionally high quality,but a nice watch nonetheless.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

$20.00 at Target.It's battery powered,not exceptionally high quality,but a nice watch nonetheless.

hmm, might have to check into that...

 

[MEDIUMMYND]

www.russia4u.co.uk/Check Vostok out very good value time pieces.

 

[MEDIUMMYND]

www.russia4u.co.uk/

 

[Geesie]

www.russia4u.co.uk/

About a decade ago, I went to Russia as part of a student exchange program. When my classmates and I returned, our teacher said "I bet you all got those $20 Soviet pocketwatches that stop running after two months."

And yes, about half of us got these things which did indeed stop running after about 6-12 weeks.

 

[Imahomer]

I just bought this Charles-Hubert of Paris gold pocket watch for about 165.00 It is a gorgeous timepiece.
http://www.pocketwatchsite.com/sale/new/ch3756-gr.html

Wow, that really does look good!

 

[Dinerman]

About a decade ago, I went to Russia as part of a student exchange program. When my classmates and I returned, our teacher said "I bet you all got those $20 Soviet pocketwatches that stop running after two months."

And yes, about half of us got these things which did indeed stop running after about 6-12 weeks.

I've got one of those, a Pobeda, that my dad got mail order back in '88 or '89. I have it now, and it's still going strong. I guess he got lucky.

 

[MEDIUMMYND]

About a decade ago, I went to Russia as part of a student exchange program. When my classmates and I returned, our teacher said "I bet you all got those $20 Soviet pocketwatches that stop running after two months."

And yes, about half of us got these things which did indeed stop running after about 6-12 weeks.

I have two Vostoks which have given many years of sterling service

 

[DeaconKC]

A very handsome watch.

 

[miles_archer]

I think the best way to go is an older watch but not an antique. I had a turn of the century Waltham I loved that was always slow and that I eventually unwittingly broke. I also have a newer WWII era Omega that is very accurate and durable I carry every day now.

 

[Sertsa]

As already stated, Hamilton still makes mechanical pocket watches. Here are some at a US site:
http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/hamiltonpocketwatches.asp

But you can probably get vintage Hamiltons for less, or at least in that range.

But while these are quartz, the Mondaine pocket watches look interesting:
http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/MondainePocketWatches.asp

Tissot (another Swatch Group brand, like Hamilton) and Swiss Army also have quartz watches:
http://www.ewatches.com/Tissot/T83855313.html
http://www.ewatches.com/SwissArmy/24720.html