Belle Epoque Pocket Watch

Surely you’ll find the exact belle epoque pocket watch you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from 18k Gold, Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. Finding the perfect belle epoque pocket watch may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 20th Century. Finding an appealing belle epoque pocket watch — no matter the origin — is easy, but Angelus, Cartier and Tiffany & Co. each produced a popular version that is worth a look. While most can agree that any belle epoque pocket watch from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a Diamond version from the 6 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. Today, if you’re looking for an old european cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes rose cut alternatives. When shopping for a belle epoque pocket watch, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

Prices for a belle epoque pocket watch can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $589 and can go as high as $33,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $10,750.

Can you pull off a vintage pocket watch? Of course you can. With a suit and a waistcoat, a pocket watch can be a refreshing alternative to a wristwatch.

The earliest pocket watches were luxury items, and, owing to cost, they weren’t commonplace until the 19th century. Artfully crafted pocket watches were a symbol of wealth, and manufacturers such as Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe became known for theirs. (Today, they’re among the most sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.)

At the onset, pocket watches resembled small round table clocks, and pulling your small round table clock — perhaps of the silver variety — out of your breast pocket in front of someone else demonstrated unequivocally that you cared about punctuality. For collectors, pocket watches are big, and that means a larger canvas provided for functions without crowding the dial. For example, the Marius Lecoultre pocket watch — made circa 1890 — does everything but uncork your wine.

In the late 1800s, the open-face pocket watch became a staple on the American railroad. It was a requirement for railway workers to wear a pocket watch, as the timepieces were responsible for keeping conductors on schedule. This was a boon to the watchmaking industry, with companies like Hamilton, the Elgin National Watch Company and the Waltham Watch Company producing high-grade and workingman’s watches.

By the 1930s, wristwatches comprised the bulk of watch manufacturing in America, superseding the pocket watch. Suddenly, if you wanted to know the time, you merely glanced at your wrist. But given their vintage charm and our general appetite for good design, pocket watches are a piece of statement-making jewelry and today can prove complementary to your formal attire in a manner that is stylish and unconventional.

Let time take its course — browse a vast selection of antique and vintage pocket watches available on 1stDibs designed by legendary brands such as IWC, Cartier and more.