Where to acquire a pocket watch

[Leacock]

Apologies if such a thread already exists, I did not find it. I am planning to acquire a pocket watch and I am looking for suggestions for online sources to acquire one. For the moment I am more concerned with economy but I still want a reasonably high quality one that shall last. Are there any good online sources for nice pocket watches at a reasonable price?

Any things that I should keep in mind before acquiring such a watch?

 

[Talbot]

Have a look in the display case section. There is a thread there titled 'Show us your watches' (or something very similar).

There are many pocket watches in that thread and lots of knowledgable folks there to help.

 

[Leacock]

Thank you, I shall check that thread out.

 

[esteban68]

Omega still make hand winding high quality pocket watches in the traditional style, not cheap but an heirloom item.

 

[Don Dahlberg]

You did not say if you wanted a mechanical watch or a quartz watch. Nor did you say if you were looking for a new watch versus a vintage watch.

Quartz watches keep great time and are easy to maintain. They run for years with a battery replacement about every year. Once they fail, you throw them away. They are difficult to repair, because parts are non-existent and movements are usually discontinued by the time they fail.

Mechanical watches require care. Pre-1950s watches need to be cleaned and oiled (overhauled) every 3-5 years. This is because the cases are not dust proof. Post 1950s watches that were made to be water proof are also just proof. They require cleaning about every 9 years, the lifetime of modern oils. The big advantage of a mechanical watch is that with proper care it can last hundreds of years.

The major problem with vintage watches is that you have to educate yourself on these watches. To the uneducated eye a $100 and a $2000 watch look very much alike. Also, unless the watch has been properly overhauled, it may require hundreds of dollars of repairs.

So if you just want a pocket watch and do not care to pass it on to your descendants, then a department store quartz watch is just fine. Don't spend too much on it.

There are also department store Swiss made, 17 jewel, mechanical watches in base metal cases that are not very expensive. They run well for a decade and then can be throw it away. It would cost more than a new one to have it cleaned.

If you want a vintage watch, then you have homework to do.

Don

 

[dnjan]

If you are looking for a new watch, the Pocket Watch Site has a good selection.

 

[Blackadder]

Tissot from Official Tissot online shop or Amazon.

 

[LuvMyMan]

I can say you can find some very decent pocket watches on eBay.... I have been looking at some that are very much a good bargain (vintage wind up watches) and some are less than $200.00

I myself (no expert on the topic) find that if you obtain a working nice clean pocket watch for less than $200.00 you can afford (if even needed) to have watch serviced/cleaned/set properly so it will run and give you years of service.

 

[DeaconKC]

Colibri makes a very nice modern pocket watch as well.