Thread: anyone know anything about practical pocket watches?

i hate wearing a watch on my wrist, not that i don't like the way they look, i just seem to bash them off of things and mark or break them very quickly. my dad used to wear a pocket watch for that reason and i am looking at getting one.

here is my problem: i am a practical person that doesn't care about names or gold plating or how old it is. i want something that works well and doesn't cost too much (around $50). i have looked at antiques and though the gadget part of my brain says "oh cool!" the rest of me says"who is gonna fix it and what if you lose it. basically i want and everyday pocket watch with a chain and very simple design, do they exist?

i have seen decently priced new mechanical pocket watches but considering the china tag on the back i am guessing that they won't keep the best time, am i wrong?

any info would be great thank you.

Been years since I've seen one but westclox used to make a lower end pocket watch that kept good time. When it went south it was cheap enough to replace. I just did a search for them and they are antiques now bring $100 and up.

EDIT; found more cheaper here;

i had seen a couple of those on ebay and wondered as they weren't crazy expensive. i will keep my eye open for a decently priced one.

i will probably get a stupidly cheap one from ebay to start with and see how like using a pocket watch before spending $100 on one. i saw some for like $10 plus shipping that don't look really cheap.

Well, your best bet is a quartz and there are plenty made. Most of these boutique stores and kiosks in malls sell them and they are under 100 bucks. If you want mechanical and swiss made be prepared to spend $350 and up. I wouldn't go vintage. One drop and its toast. Seiko makes several models. Invicta does too.

I have one like this: Mondaine Pocket Watch / Travel Alarm - White Face - Snake Chain & Pouch A468.30317.11SBB

I have been very pleased with it. Not ostentatious, seriously railway accurate. The alarm noise is a little thin.

Don't discount the Chinese mechanical watches. I have a small collection of mostly vintage and antique pocket watches including British and a couple of American Railroad watches. I wear them when I know they'll be safe.

For other times I have a Russian Sekonda and a nice cheap Chinese one with a picture of Chairman Mao on the face I found on ebay! Bit of a talking point that one! Both keep excellent time and I don't mind if one gets wrecked. Bear in mind that they are mechanical and will never keep time as well as a quartz but that goes for any mechanical watch.

Funnily enough I got my first pocket watch nearly forty years ago for the same reason as you. I used to run a mobile disco (I had hair then) and I was forever damaging my wristwatch whilst loading the gear into the van!

Gareth

Gareth

any pawn shop or jewelry store will have them.

I can relate to that - don't really like anything on my wrist either.

I'm in Australia and have an Adina pocket watch - I think they're around $160 AUD now.

I'm pretty happy with mine - though it's a little scratched from occasionally sharing a pocket with pens (my suit trousers don't have a separate fob, though my jeans do).

I used to have a 'hunter' (with a lid that covers the face) - but it had to be cleaned fairly regularly because dust would keep getting inside the watch.

Might be worth visiting some watch / clock repairers and chat to them - they may stock a good no-fuss pocket watch. (That's how I got my current watch). If you're keen on an older watch, bear in mind that it may also need regular maintenance -see your local watch / clock repairer for advice.

All the best,
Michael.

Have you seen this?


You clip it to your belt. It is $49.50

Improved Guard Dog Watch - Duluth Trading Company
I have an earlier model. My only dislike is that the face isn't back lit.
They now have one that is and it also has an alarm for $69.50.

GuardDog II - Duluth Trading Company

Originally Posted by demetriustracy

any pawn shop or jewelry store will have them.

weird thing is that we only have one pawn shop in Chatham and they didn't have any, and one antique store who had 2 working antiques they wanted $275 each for or 2 not working that they wanted $65 each for. if i drove the hour and went to london i'm sure i could find one for less but the one jewelry shop in town that repairs them starts at $100 for any repair (which i don't blame them for as it is a rare skill i guess).