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