Pocket Watch Guide

Fusee pocket watches have not been given as much appreciation as most common pocket watches. Only some of the most passionate and well researched enthusiast can truly give credit to these time pieces and even take the time out to look for them. A fusee watch has mainly two parts. The cone shaped pulley and a main spring barrel; these two were connected by a small chain which is used to wind the spring as it loosened while the watch is functioning.

Fusee Watch Buying

There are fusee pocket watches that are ornate in style though much of the earlier or antiques did not have the same effort exerted in design as the engineering became the focal points of the watches. But lately, the more recently produced fusee watches have more detail. These are just a few of the varying degree of craftsmanship and the improvements made by the watch makers.

These works of art are generally pricier than the newer and battery operated pocket watches. Expect to find fusee watch prices to start from a few hundred dollars and the more intricate ones and the antiques to cost around a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

To get at good idea of the prices of pocket watches here are figures from watchmakers of different regions:

American watch making companies- these include famous companies like Ingersoll, Colibri and Waltham. Their watch prices range anywhere from $30 dollars to almost $600 dollars.

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The Masonic pocket watch is a watch proudly owned by members of the freemasonic society. They have been known as pillars in the development of society and governments since the early 1500′s. These proud men of distinction have long been associated with symbolism and many are seduced by the secrecy of this organization. Freemasons have been said to be among the forefathers of American freedom and have been said to participate among the many landmarks in history where they have left an indelible mark. Of course, some of these claims have not hold true but the only thing that is not secret about the Freemason is their patriotism and power in high ranking offices both in the government and in society in general up to this very day.

The pocket watch of this secret society is distinctly known by the many signs and symbols that are known to be part of their rituals. Among these popular signs is the compass and square that both form a diamond with either the letter “G” in the middle or the “all-seeing” eye. Some other symbols that may also signify affiliation with the freemason society are the plumb, trowel and level.

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The Howard Pocket Watch Company was established in 1857 after it was partially gained from Waltham Watch co. which did not fare so well on its own. Edward Howard, after claiming the parts and machineries that were yet being developed at the time, moved the company to Roxbury, Massachusetts and established his very own watch making factory; bringing with him all the tools, parts and other essentials needed for the factory. However, it took a year for his pocket watches to go out into the public and be marketable. The watches Edward Howard made were packed with new innovations and improvements were made which was relatively new to the industry.

This new pocket watch had a “quick-beat” train, compensated balance and a top plate which had two sections. A letter “N” was stamped on the movements as a tribute to the company and its inventors. After enjoying great success with his watches, Howard then introduced the Stem-Wind movement, this was the first of its kind and they were made at a furious pace as demand for them ran until the 1900′s. This watch had enamel dials and had the name of the company (E. Howard & Co., Boston) inscribed on it. Though the factory never made their own watch cases, in 1902 they assigned the rights to use Edward Howard’s name to the watch case making company which was the Keystone Watch Case co.

These Howard pocket watch and all of their accessories can be bought from countless online sites and even auction houses that carry antiques. Many designs of Howard hunter pocket watches are available and prices may range from those that are newly manufactured which can cost a few hundred dollars to the genuine antiques that fetch almost a thousand dollars at the beginning of the bid alone.

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