Pocket Watch

We all know that having and wearing a pocket watch certainly makes a bold statement. However, choosing the right one for you can be a bit of a challenge. This blog entry will give you a breakdown of several things to consider before you buy your next pocket watch:

Something Old or Something New?
Pocket watches range in style from a simple, sleekly-modern timepiece by a contemporary designer to a coveted, intricately-designed antique from the 17th century – and all points in between. What’s your style? Determine this first; it will help narrow your search and save time. Also you should figure out what you are willing to spend, as prices can range from a modest $15 to over $15,000.

The Best Places To Shop For A Pocket Watch
Once you decide on the style and your price point, it’s time to shop! With over 20,000 options on any given day, eBay offers one of the largest varieties of pocket watches that you will ever find. However, if you do not want to purchase a pocket watch sight unseen, think about the following: major jewelry stores such as Zales (for contemporary classics for less than $1,000), department stores like Macy’s (for something that won’t hurt your wallet – starting at $39), a luxury timepiece boutique like Chopard (a gold-standard manufacturer that makes hand-crafted designs for thousands of dollars) or your local antique or pawn shop (for that special, one-of-a-kind find).

Where to Wear
For a generation accustomed to flicking their wrists or flipping open a phone, pocket watches may seem a bit inconvenient. So before you buy one think about what position may work best for you. If you attend a number of meetings throughout the day and truly plan to use the watch as a timepiece, try a waistcoat version; it is classic and convenient. If you still need the functionality but are a bit more mobile (and need the watch to remain stationary) the belt may be your best bet. For a purely distinguished look, try the lapel; it is the best look with a suit.

Open or Closed
Pocket watches come in two varieties. The open-face pocket watch is as its name suggests; it is a “coverless” watch. Conversely, the Hunter-case watch has a cover – a metal lid – that closes over the face of the watch. The cover protects the timepiece from debris or damage. Most antique pocket watches (and some uniquely-designed modern ones) are of the Hunter-case persuasion, and it is considered to be the more classic version of the two.

Whatever you choose, you cannot lose… pocket watches are timeless.