Thread: anyone know anything about practical pocket watches?

so i took JimmyHAD's advice and looked at some Westclox watches on ebay and coincidentally there was a large lot being sold, like 250 of them ranging in prices, but all working and in good shape.

i won this one:http:WESTCLOX POCKET BEN POCKET WATCH 30S 40S on eBay.ca (item 370262133731 end time 25-Sep-09 11:17:55 EDT)

my sister is a jeweler so i should be able to find a chain pretty easily.

i appreciate all the help and welcome any more info though, hopefully this doesn't turn into another addiction, like the razors have, i can't afford another

I have a russian sekonda quartz for every day use,cheap and reliable.Paid about $40 and that was with a chain. If you want ultimate protection get yourself a leather belt pouch for your watch.

I bought a couple at Marks Work Wearhouse. They may not be the most accurate but they work when I need something to be out of the way. I have two nice $250+ for when I'm at work(work in an office) or when I'm going out.

good old ebay! ha! i got this one yesterday: Vintage Lucien Piccard Dufonte 17j Pocket Watch PW126 on eBay.ca (item 180410867308 end time 27-Sep-09 20:41:13 EDT)

i can't wait til it arrives! but mark my words that is the last one for a while

sorry i did not see your post sooner. i am taking courses on watchmaking at the present. i also have a collection of about 75 pocketwatches. there are several websites selling parts for watches and there are some great deals on watches on ebay. i have several russian made pocketwatches that are still being made today. they go under several names such as manna, molniya, molina, best just put in search engine "russian mechanical pocketwatch" most of these are 18 jewels and are great workhorse watches, being well built and sturdy. just watch the prices. i have bought most for around 30-40 including s/h.

i got my Westclox Pocket Ben the other day and it works great and is in really good shape. a perfect first pocket watch. thanks for all the help!

next up is this The Ascent Wooden Gear Clock, available as a kit or plans.
i think the ins and outs of how mechanical clocks work (and watches obviously) is really interesting. hopefully i will get this kit for christmas!

Originally Posted by 59caddy

sorry i did not see your post sooner. i am taking courses on watchmaking at the present. i also have a collection of about 75 pocketwatches. there are several websites selling parts for watches and there are some great deals on watches on ebay. i have several russian made pocketwatches that are still being made today. they go under several names such as manna, molniya, molina, best just put in search engine "russian mechanical pocketwatch" most of these are 18 jewels and are great workhorse watches, being well built and sturdy. just watch the prices. i have bought most for around 30-40 including s/h.

I have a Molnja I bought probably 20 years ago. I think I paid $30 for it. Your right its a workhorse but really when you look at the movement its so crude looking its a miracle it runs as good as it does. I've been collecting pocketwatches for many years.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have a Molnja I bought probably 20 years ago. I think I paid $30 for it. Your right its a workhorse but really when you look at the movement its so crude looking its a miracle it runs as good as it does. I've been collecting pocketwatches for many years.

i looked at a bunch of Sekonda and Molnja watches on ebay and almost bought a couple, and i still might, but they go for a bit more money so i thought i would wait.

i opened up the Westclox Pocket Ben yesterday and it looks pretty crude, nothing like the pics of other watches i have seen. seems to work pretty well though, but has no jewels.

Originally Posted by chee16

i looked at a bunch of Sekonda and Molnja watches on ebay and almost bought a couple, and i still might, but they go for a bit more money so i thought i would wait.

i opened up the Westclox Pocket Ben yesterday and it looks pretty crude, nothing like the pics of other watches i have seen. seems to work pretty well though, but has no jewels.

Many years ago Westclox used to make quality watches but the ones they made in the 1950s and beyond are junk. I would stay away from non jeweled watches unless your just buying them to have. The pivots will wear too rapidly and you actually use it all the time. The same with old pocketwatches with 7 jewel mvmts. They were bottom of the line.

any idea how i could find out how old mine is?

BTW i have a 17j Lucien Piccard Dufonte (not sure how these rate) on the way. hopefully it is nice for my second watch.