Pocket watches appreciation thread

[FeelingTheBlues]

Hello everyone,

I suspect this will not be as popular a thread as the many similar ones focusing on specific brands or makers, however, I thought I would share my small collection of pocket watches. Hopefully, some of you may be tempted to join in and share yours.

For the sake of avoiding a Tolstoï novel, I kindly ask that you don’t begrudge me one post per timepiece.

Starting off, one that I posted in a WRUW thread recently. A simple two hands, key wound, thin thing in a 45mm case. While it very much has a Breguet style, it is unbranded as far as I know and can see.



The key is most certainly not original, however, I do like the male peg that makes it stand out from what you usually find. The dial, although it has aged, still shows what I consider a guillochage in good condition.



The movement has no particular finish, it’s as simple as what you see often times in those antiques. I’d go as far as saying it has aged quite well. There is an inscription in the caseback that dates the gifting of this watch back to 1913, however, I suspect the piece itself could be older.



One thing I love in this movement: the pallet fork. I have never seen one like it myself, the jewels on the side, the length and the tail at its end…I personally love it!



I will post the next one shortly, hope you enjoy!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Next we have a Vacheron Constantin that had been a corporate gift for 25 years of service at the Aluminium Company of Canada. This one is from the early 1950’s.

For those of you who may not know this specific model, the case, dial, hands as well as a few components in the movement are made of aluminium. Thus, the watch weighs approximately 20 grams.



I think the dial and hands on this particular model are in a great condition. I loved it the very moment I saw it.

[Moondoggy]

Beautiful the craftsmanship is extrodinarrie.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Thank you! More pictures to come in a few hours when I have enough time to upload them.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Here’s my only chronograph, 48mm gold case with an enamel dial. It’s surprisingly thin for a watch with this specific complication and I am happy I found one with a dial that is not cracked or damaged. There is also an insane monogram on the caseback.

It is not unbranded per se, the dust cover has a name on it but I can hardly find another watch from this maker. I wish I could show you the inside but every cover clips like its life depends on it so I try to avoid it as much as possible.

Funny enough, the chronograph has no excentric screws to adjust it so it slows down or stops at around 40 seconds. Not a deal breaker for me, I actually enjoy the obsolete technology that went in this built and only seldom used the function. We certainly have come a long way, however.

[ricky64]

I'm enjoying this. Thanks!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by ricky64

I'm enjoying this. Thanks!

Much appreciated, brother.

This one is a little different: an American pocket watch with a 45mm white gold case. I’m one to think that at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th, there was a great quality in what came out of the factories in the United States.

According to the papers (it so happens that it came with them along with the box), Illinois considers this model very thin.



The dial caught my eye, it is rather tarnished indeed but it offers a nice contrast with the 14k case. Furthermore, I love how it’s all carved in one silver disc and the roman numerals on the second subdial add a touch of originality.



The watch has not been engraved and I must say, the finishing on the sides and back of the case is still in pristine condition.

[FeelingTheBlues]

And now, a quarter repeater in a 48mm gold case. I like how it’s moderately small while having a good thickness to it. It is also the only pin setting mechanism I own.

In case it is not obvious yet, I have a soft spot for Breguet hands and numerals.



I was surprised by the size of the trigger, it hardly protrudes from the case. Turns out, although I like it when it is a little more visible, I appreciate the look here.



The caseback has not been engraved on this one either and the maker’s name is on the dust cover.



Not nearly as sought after as minute repeaters, I must say I specifically looked for this complication. Again, I quite enjoy owning what is now deemed obsolete. Perhaps I could find a five-minute repeater as well one day but those tend to be scarce.

Now, it wouldn’t be proper for me not to make you hear it, would it? I love how the gongs sound, it’s also at just the right tempo in my humble opinion. Also, it may look like I filmed this with my toaster but I believe the sound is acceptable nevertheless.

[APhound]

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[FeelingTheBlues]

Converted pocket watch?

Does it have a sapphire caseback? If so, may we see the movement?

[APhound]

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[APhound]

Wore it on my wedding day and the crystal fell off in the sand and I didn’t know. And we found it! Crazy



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[FeelingTheBlues]

That movement looks good!

Glad you found the crystal, that would have been a real bummer. Funny, I was inspecting one of mine when I received it and when I closed the caseback (which made a loud click because it is tight), I heard a clinging noise on my table. The shock popped the crystal off, the glue had all dried up and chipped.

[FeelingTheBlues]

And my latest acquisition: hunter pocket watch in .900 silver. The cover of the 51mm case is engraved, as you can see.



I have started a thread not so long ago when I purchased it so I will avoid redundancy. However, I must say the guillochage and dial have remained in a wonderful condition.



I wish that this thread will attract people eventually but if it does not, I hope it was enjoyable for those of you who opened it!

[Submariner2019]

Feeling the blues,
Thank you for sharing your lovely collection! Beautiful pocket watches with a story. This is why I am a member of this forum! Cheers!

[FeelingTheBlues]

I am glad you appreciated the thread. Do make sure to post pictures if you have some!

[WatchEater666]

Great thread. Thank you for making it! Personally, I love pocket watches because they are from a time where knowledge wasn't the same everywhere because of the internet.

This meant wildly different manufacturing techniques, and so the variety is immense.

I have a Waltham from the 1890s or maybe 1880s. A simple pocket watch with very nice geneava waves on it in particular. I was impressed by how soft and well executed they are. The watch I actually found at a warehouse I moved one of my brands into in 2020! It was just sitting there. The warehouse was used as a WWII-era ammo storage depot previously...so I guess that makes some sense.

I would love an original breguet pocket watch at some point.

[scarlet knight]

A good friend of mine has a large pocket watch collection. I have pictures of some of it. I will ask him if I can post my pictures of his collection.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

Great thread. Thank you for making it! Personally, I love pocket watches because they are from a time where knowledge wasn't the same everywhere because of the internet.

This meant wildly different manufacturing techniques, and so the variety is immense.

I have a Waltham from the 1890s or maybe 1880s. A simple pocket watch with very nice geneava waves on it in particular. I was impressed by how soft and well executed they are. The watch I actually found at a warehouse I moved one of my brands into in 2020! It was just sitting there. The warehouse was used as a WWII-era ammo storage depot previously...so I guess that makes some sense.

I would love an original breguet pocket watch at some point.

I am glad you enjoyed it.

I like your philosophy! In a way, my approach to acquiring these has been different from how I go on about buying wristwatches because the domain, in my opinion, is rather something else. I believe I wear them much more than nearly every other collector but I have gone about it much like they were artefacts.

I would love to see pictures of your Waltham, when you have the chance. I find it incredible that you would have found it this way! Do you wear it at all? Also, did you find anything else in that warehouse?

In regards to your point about manufacturing techniques, I’d agree with you because of my personal experience with the ones I have. Interestingly, a watchmaker friend of mine suggested that there would have been but a few suppliers of movements because in his opinion, many pieces look like they have the same calibre. I have to think that even then, depending on the years to which we are referring, the trade would be noticeably different from what we see today. I know in the late 19th century and early 20th, LeCoultre was already a supplier for many maisons and it included pocket watches.

Although I stated that my chronograph’s maker is just about unknown, I did read about one other model that had a LeCoultre in it, perhaps mine has one as well. Could I then presume my very movement is also in a few other timepieces? Perhaps all different brands? Or, could the maker have dealt with many suppliers depending on what complications they needed?

Oh, and a Breguet pocket watch wouldn’t be too shabby indeed!

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

A good friend of mine has a large pocket watch collection. I have pictures of some of it. I will ask him if I can post my pictures of his collection.

If he agrees, it’d be great! I look forward to his response.

[scarlet knight]

Some pictures from my friend’s collection



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[scarlet knight]

Back of my friend’s Hamilton PW file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/f0/00/B93041F2-4D6F-4017-9550-A2C3FB874BD0/IMG_0696.jpeg


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[scarlet knight]

Will try above again.

[scarlet knight]

1922 Hamilton pocket watch movement.


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[MichelleP]

1902 ish Waltham. My dad gave to me



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[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

1922 Hamilton pocket watch movement.


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Thank you for sharing those and my compliments to your friend, he has an impressive collection.

That movement is stunning!

Originally Posted by MichelleP

1902 ish Waltham. My dad gave to me



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Thank you, Michelle, looks great! Do you know where he bought it?

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

1922 Hamilton pocket watch movement.

We desperately need the U.S. to start making mechanical timepieces 'at volume' again. The U.S. could easily compete with the Swiss, especially at their 2025 production asking prices imho.

[Calatrava r]

https://imgur.com/a/YUKRIiL

[scarlet knight]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

We desperately need the U.S. to start making mechanical timepieces 'at volume' again. The U.S. could easily compete with the Swiss, especially at their 2025 production asking prices imho.

Hamilton, Waltham, others were great American brands. Wonder what happened?

[SearChart]

Very nice collection Carl!

I would love to see the movement of the Vacheron Constantin, I really like that one!

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

Thank you for sharing those and my compliments to your friend, he has an impressive collection.

That movement is stunning!



Thank you, Michelle, looks great! Do you know where he bought it?

Thank you
I don't know where he got it. His dad was born in Waltham so that is why he picked it up.