Thread: Looking to carry a pocket watch again, any ideas?

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

It's more likely your mother IS your mother, in a number of cases the person you think is your father isn't.

I was at an AA meeting 30 years ago where a very well known AA speaker, since gone to the big meeting in the sky, was expounding on the definition of faith. He said, "I know who my mother is, that's knowledge, I know who my father is, that's faith."

Tissot - The wifey bought it for me about 20 years ago, there is just something very "Cool" about the look of the gold chain from belt loop to the watch in the pocket of a pair of Levi's or Wrangler's that she liked ...

I don't wear a watch much at all any longer, but if it is a "Going to Town" night it usually comes along, found this pic on Google and I think that is it




No compliant from me on the works of the watch, keeps awesome time, of course you have to wind it but then again that is half the allure of owning one

If you have a really old pocketwatch it is uber cool to think about all the folks who owned it and what stories it could tell you. My oldest watch was made when George Washington was the President. When I got it it was still working though it doesn't now and there aren't any people competent to fix it these days.

There aren't too many objects like that out there...except...straight razors.

Most things like it are really inanimate objects. Pocketwatches are in many ways alive.

Hand tools can also fall in that category, I don't think I have many 18th century ones but I still use 19th century tools all the time.

Pocket Watches. If you want accuracy, get a relatively modern Quartz Pocket Watch. Some are reasonably priced and not too much can compare with Quartz for accuracy and low maintenance. I personally prefer HAMILTON RAILWAY GRADE watches as I worked on the Railroads for quite a few years in the 1960's and into the 1980's. By then almost everyone had made the switch to Quartz (Accutron Tuning Forks first) wrist watches. I still keep an eye on ebay prices for Railway grade pocket and wrist watches. Railway watches had to conform to certain "standards", some of which, are: Arabic Numerals, The "12" at the winding crown (No "sidewinders") No covered "Hunter" cases, and I believe, but am not sure, had to be "Lever Wind". I don't want a Quartz, thank you.
Every day, the dispatcher would give you the exact time to the second at the beginning of your shift, or at any other time requested. That was so you would always be "within 30 seconds" for safety sake and also if the Watch "Inspector" came around to check watches. I carry a 992B that I got in a poker game for $50. I bought my son a 992B two years ago for $225 and got it serviced. I was looking at a beautiful, 950B in mint condition, and just serviced, but it is $995. I checked 1940's prices and the 950B was only less than 10% more than the 992B's so I decided to back off. My 992 has hairline cracks in the dial, but otherwise runs fine.
The older 992's (not the "B" models) are a bit less expensive, all other things being equal.

My recent (2015) observations and thoughts:
1) You can get an excellent Hamilton 992B with minor cosmetic defects for $250 to $350 and up.
2) All mechanical watches need to be dis-assembled, cleaned, oiled and retimed every 3-4 years. It usually costs around $100 to $150 and would come with a guarantee of it running within an certain number of seconds a day.
3) Cosmetics play a big role in pricing. Eg. Dents/Scratches on the case or in the works, "Hairline cracks or worse on the dial. "Brassing" of the finish.
There are many fine pocket watches out there, My suggestion would be to go to a recognized, certified Watch Repair man. Hamilton did make many models that were not "Railroad Approved" and there are many other excellent brands out there. So talk with maybe a few Watch repair men to get a better feel. Most Pawn shops are nt going to give you any kind of a good deal and won't service what they sell.
Good Luck

The 950 and 950B were hamilton's top of the line movements and they didn't make that many of them. In really great condition they are hard to come by. I have a 950 I bought at least 20 years ago and I paid the same as what they are going for now so prices have moderated on these things.

The prices back then you really can't compare because "that was then". I remember when you could get a fully equipped Chevy for $2600.