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Half Hunter Watch

Charles Frodsham. A Rare Gold Half Hunter Half Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch
Charles Frodsham. A Rare Gold Half Hunter Half Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch

Charles Frodsham. A Rare Gold Half Hunter Half Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare 18ct yellow gold half hunter half quarter repeating pocket watch, C1880s. with it's original box.

Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

A Rare Fine Gold & Enamel Half Hunter Fob Watch C1880
A Rare Fine Gold & Enamel Half Hunter Fob Watch C1880

A Rare Fine Gold & Enamel Half Hunter Fob Watch C1880

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Rare Fine 18ct Gold & Enamel Keyless Cylinder Half Hunter Fob Watch C1880. Dial: A white enamel dial with Roman numerals and outer minute track with interestingly red Arabic n...

Category

Antique 1880s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Longines Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Slim Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Longines Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Slim Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Longines Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Slim Half Hunter Pocket Watch

By Longines

Located in Mayfair, London, London

Longines 18ct yellow gold keyless lever slim half hunter pocket watch retailed by Mappin & Webb with a matching 18ct yellow gold chain and original presentation box, C1930s.

Category

20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Army & Navy Gold Half Hunter Minute Repeater Pocket Watch C1882
Army & Navy Gold Half Hunter Minute Repeater Pocket Watch C1882

Army & Navy Gold Half Hunter Minute Repeater Pocket Watch C1882

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Very Heavy 18ct Yellow Gold Half Hunter Keless Lever Minute Repeater Pocket Watch, C1882.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Arnold & Charles Frodsham 18 Karat Gold Half-Hunter Pocket Watch, Chronograph
Arnold & Charles Frodsham 18 Karat Gold Half-Hunter Pocket Watch, Chronograph

Arnold & Charles Frodsham 18 Karat Gold Half-Hunter Pocket Watch, Chronograph

Located in Berlin, DE

This rare and elegant half-hunter pocket watch by Arnold & Chas. Frodsham is a true collector’s piece, crafted from solid 18K gold with a triple-hinged case.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Eugene Le Coultre. A Rare Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880
Eugene Le Coultre. A Rare Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880

Eugene Le Coultre. A Rare Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880

Located in Mayfair, London, London

An 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880. Dial: This very rare dial having black enamel with gold coloured Roman numeral and outer gold minute track with gol...

Category

Antique 1880s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Patek Philippe Rare Gold Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880s
Patek Philippe Rare Gold Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880s

Patek Philippe Rare Gold Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880s

By Patek Philippe

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Rare 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Quarter Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch Retailed by H. Pleister 312 Regent Street London.

Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Retro Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

S.Smith & Son Rare Gold Karrusel Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1898
S.Smith & Son Rare Gold Karrusel Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1898

S.Smith & Son Rare Gold Karrusel Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1898

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Rare and Important Keyless Lever 18ct Yellow Gold Karrusel Half Hunter Pocket Watch, C1898. Dial: The wonderful cream coloured Willis enamel dial with Roman numerals and outer min...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

J.W. Benson Yellow Gold Filled Half Hunter Pocket Watch, circa 1900s
J.W. Benson Yellow Gold Filled Half Hunter Pocket Watch, circa 1900s

J.W. Benson Yellow Gold Filled Half Hunter Pocket Watch, circa 1900s

By J.W. Benson

Located in Long Beach, CA

Benson STYLE / REFERENCE: Men's Full Size Half Hunter Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Heavy Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1900's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 50mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold Pink Guilloche Enamel Half-Hunter Ladies' Pocket Watch
Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold Pink Guilloche Enamel Half-Hunter Ladies' Pocket Watch

Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold Pink Guilloche Enamel Half-Hunter Ladies' Pocket Watch

Located in MELBOURNE, AU

Exquisitely crafted in 18K Yellow Gold, this delightful antique (Edwardian) ladies’ pocket watch is of English origin, retailed by Camerer Kuss & Co – renowned London-based retaile...

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold

J.W. Benson Sterling Silver Half Hunters Case Pocket Watch, circa 1890s
J.W. Benson Sterling Silver Half Hunters Case Pocket Watch, circa 1890s

J.W. Benson Sterling Silver Half Hunters Case Pocket Watch, circa 1890s

By J.W. Benson

Located in Long Beach, CA

The movement is high grade and produced in Switzerland for Benson and the case is hallmarked with English stamps. The watch still keeps dependable time. True to the times these watch...

Category

Antique 1890s Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

J.W. Benson Sterling Silver Half Hunters Case Pocket Watch, circa 1890s
J.W. Benson Sterling Silver Half Hunters Case Pocket Watch, circa 1890s

J.W. Benson Sterling Silver Half Hunters Case Pocket Watch, circa 1890s

By J.W. Benson

Located in Long Beach, CA

The movement is high grade and produced in Switzerland for Benson and the case is hallmarked with English stamps. The watch still keeps dependable time. True to the times these watch...

Category

Antique 1890s Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Waltham Sterling Silver Trench Watch circa 1914 Rare P.S. Bartlett Half Hunter
Waltham Sterling Silver Trench Watch circa 1914 Rare P.S. Bartlett Half Hunter

Waltham Sterling Silver Trench Watch circa 1914 Rare P.S. Bartlett Half Hunter

By Waltham

Located in Long Beach, CA

Before the Waltham Watch Company, watches were generally produced by hand, in “cottage” industries.

Category

Vintage 1910s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Peerless by IWC Campaign Style Sterling Silver Half Hunter from 1915
Peerless by IWC Campaign Style Sterling Silver Half Hunter from 1915

Peerless by IWC Campaign Style Sterling Silver Half Hunter from 1915

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: International Watch Co. for Peerless STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style / Half Hunter METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver & Enamel CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE...

Category

Vintage 1910s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

J.W. Benson Gold Half Hunter Minute Repeater C1895 With Albert Chain
J.W. Benson Gold Half Hunter Minute Repeater C1895 With Albert Chain

J.W. Benson Gold Half Hunter Minute Repeater C1895 With Albert Chain

By J.W. Benson

Located in Mayfair, London, London

Benson. A Heavy 18ct Gold Half Hunter Minute Repeater Keyless Lever Pocket Watch with a Heavy 18ct Gold Albert Watch Chain C1895.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Rare & Historic Rose Gold Enamelled Pivoted Detente Hunter Pocket Watch, C1880
Rare & Historic Rose Gold Enamelled Pivoted Detente Hunter Pocket Watch, C1880

Rare & Historic Rose Gold Enamelled Pivoted Detente Hunter Pocket Watch, C1880

Located in Mayfair, London, London

An Historic and Rare Rose Gold Enamelled Keyless Pivoted Detente Cronometre Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880. Dial: The excellent white enamel dial with Roman Numerals, outer minute t...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Rose Gold, Enamel

John Cashmore Yellow Gold Half Quarter Repeater Keyless Lever Pocket Watch C1893
John Cashmore Yellow Gold Half Quarter Repeater Keyless Lever Pocket Watch C1893

John Cashmore Yellow Gold Half Quarter Repeater Keyless Lever Pocket Watch C1893

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A John Cashmore 18ct yellow gold, half quarter repeater keyless lever half hunter pocket watch, C1893.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Le Roy & Fils. A Rare 18k Yellow Gold 1/4 Repeater Pocket Watch 38MM Circa 1880
Le Roy & Fils. A Rare 18k Yellow Gold 1/4 Repeater Pocket Watch 38MM Circa 1880

Le Roy & Fils. A Rare 18k Yellow Gold 1/4 Repeater Pocket Watch 38MM Circa 1880

Located in Mayfair, London, London

This rare small sized half hunter quarter repeater pocket watch by Le Roy & Fils is in excellent condition.

Category

Antique 1880s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

C.H. Meylan 18K Gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Pocket Watch Circa 1890's
C.H. Meylan 18K Gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Pocket Watch Circa 1890's

C.H. Meylan 18K Gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Pocket Watch Circa 1890's

By C.H. Meylan

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Meylan 18K Gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch Circa 1890's Dial: The white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, and minutes in red, the sub dial for the second...

Category

Antique 1890s Swiss Post-War Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Recent Sales

Antique 18 Karat Gold Minute Repeater Chronograph Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Antique 18 Karat Gold Minute Repeater Chronograph Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Antique 18 Karat Gold Minute Repeater Chronograph Half Hunter Pocket Watch

By West End Watch Company

Located in Carlisle, GB

An 18kt Gold Minute Repeater and chronograph in half hunter cased. A white enamel dial with a very fine hairline split on the dial.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Antique Half Hunter Dennison Cased Pocket Watch Signed Waltham Traveller U.S.A.
Antique Half Hunter Dennison Cased Pocket Watch Signed Waltham Traveller U.S.A.

Antique Half Hunter Dennison Cased Pocket Watch Signed Waltham Traveller U.S.A.

By American Waltham Watch Co.

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful 51mm diameter half hunter gold plated hand winding pocket watch is in good working condition and it is ticking well.

Category

Vintage 1910s American Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Antique Half Hunter Silver Pocket Watch
Antique Half Hunter Silver Pocket Watch

Antique Half Hunter Silver Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful 50mm diameter keyless mechanical silver half hunter pocket watch is in good working condition and is running well.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Small Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Antique Small Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Antique Small Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

Antique Small Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch. This watch is working and ticking well.

Category

Antique 1880s Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Silver Half Hunter Keyless Mechanical Pocket Watch
Antique Silver Half Hunter Keyless Mechanical Pocket Watch

Antique Silver Half Hunter Keyless Mechanical Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful 54mm diameter half hunter silver keyless pocket watch is in good working condition and it is running well.

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Silver Half Hunter Stem, Winding Pocket Watch
Antique Silver Half Hunter Stem, Winding Pocket Watch

Antique Silver Half Hunter Stem, Winding Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful antique 50mm keyless hand-winding Silver pocket watch is in good working condition and it is ticking well. It is recently been serviced and keeps a good time. Visible ...

Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Small Key-Wind Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Antique Small Key-Wind Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Antique Small Key-Wind Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

Antique Key-wind Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch. This beautiful 42mm diameter key winding silver half hunter pocket watch is in good working condition and is ticking well.

Category

Antique 1880s British Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique 9 Karat Gold Half Hunter Swiss Pocket Watch
Antique 9 Karat Gold Half Hunter Swiss Pocket Watch

Antique 9 Karat Gold Half Hunter Swiss Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This stunning 50mm diameter half hunter 9K Gold Pocket Watch is in good working condition and it is ticking well.

Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

9k Gold, Enamel, Gold

Antique 9 Karat Gold Half Hunter Swiss Pocket Watch
Antique 9 Karat Gold Half Hunter Swiss Pocket Watch

Antique 9 Karat Gold Half Hunter Swiss Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This stunning 50mm diameter half hunter 9K Gold Pocket Watch is in good working condition and it is ticking well.

Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

9k Gold, Enamel

Antique Gold-Plated Half Hunter Dennison Case Keyless Pocket Watch
Antique Gold-Plated Half Hunter Dennison Case Keyless Pocket Watch

Antique Gold-Plated Half Hunter Dennison Case Keyless Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

Antique Gold Plated Half Hunter Dennison case Pocket Watch. This beautiful 52mm diameter keyless gold plated pocket watch is in good working condition and is running well.

Category

Vintage 1910s British Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel

Antique Pink Enamel Small Silver Half Hunter Cased Pocket Watch
Antique Pink Enamel Small Silver Half Hunter Cased Pocket Watch

Antique Pink Enamel Small Silver Half Hunter Cased Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful silver and pink enamel half hunter small pocket watch is in good working order.

Category

Antique 1890s Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Finely Engraved 18 Kt Yellow Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Finely Engraved 18 Kt Yellow Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Finely Engraved 18 Kt Yellow Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Located in Windsor Forest, Berkshire

An 18 Kt yellow gold half hunter key wind pocket watch. The front with fine engraving around blue roman numerals and center glass, the reverse also with fine engraving.

Category

Early 20th Century British George V Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique 9 Karat Gold Dennison Case Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Antique 9 Karat Gold Dennison Case Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Antique 9 Karat Gold Dennison Case Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful 49mm antique gold Watch is working and it is ticking well. The small glass on the top cover case is missing. This watch weighed 87.7 grams. Please study the images c...

Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

9k Gold, Enamel

Rare Early Verge Fusee London Maker Half Hunter Silver Pocket Watch
Rare Early Verge Fusee London Maker Half Hunter Silver Pocket Watch

Rare Early Verge Fusee London Maker Half Hunter Silver Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

Rare Early Verge Fusee Silver Half Hunter Cased London Maker Pocket Watch. This watch is in good working condition and is ticking well.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

Antique Gold-Plated Dennison Cased Swiss Made Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Antique Gold-Plated Dennison Cased Swiss Made Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Antique Gold-Plated Dennison Cased Swiss Made Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This half hunter pocket watch is working and ticking well . the glass and Bessel are missing.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel

Antique 9 Karat Gold Keyless Half Hunter Dennison Case Pocket Watch
Antique 9 Karat Gold Keyless Half Hunter Dennison Case Pocket Watch

Antique 9 Karat Gold Keyless Half Hunter Dennison Case Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful 50mm case diameter keyless watch is in good working condition and it is ticking well. Visible signs of ageing and wear with light tiny marks on the casing. Please stud...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

9k Gold, Gold

18 Karat Gold Patek, Philippe & Co. Geneve Half Hunter Keyless Pocket Watch
18 Karat Gold Patek, Philippe & Co. Geneve Half Hunter Keyless Pocket Watch

18 Karat Gold Patek, Philippe & Co. Geneve Half Hunter Keyless Pocket Watch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Carlisle, GB

18K Gold Patek, Philippe & Co. Geneve Half Hunter Keyless Pocket Watch. This 45mm diameter antique hand winding pocket watch is in good working condition and is ticking well.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Enamel, Gold

C1930 9ct Gold Thos Russell & Son Liverpool 15 Jewels Half Hunter Pocket Watch
C1930 9ct Gold Thos Russell & Son Liverpool 15 Jewels Half Hunter Pocket Watch

C1930 9ct Gold Thos Russell & Son Liverpool 15 Jewels Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Located in Kenley surrey, GB

This circa 1930 half hunter pocket watch is a remarkable piece crafted by the esteemed Thos Russell & Son of Liverpool, renowned for their precision and quality timepieces.

Category

20th Century Pocket Watches

Fine Antique small 14k Gold Half Hunter Full Engraved Case Fob/ Pocket Watch
Fine Antique small 14k Gold Half Hunter Full Engraved Case Fob/ Pocket Watch

Fine Antique small 14k Gold Half Hunter Full Engraved Case Fob/ Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful and small 33mm diameter antique small gold half hunter Pocket Watch is in good Working condition and it is ticking well.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Enamel

18 Karat Gold Antique Half Hunter Pocket Watch Sign McCabe Royal Exchange London
18 Karat Gold Antique Half Hunter Pocket Watch Sign McCabe Royal Exchange London

18 Karat Gold Antique Half Hunter Pocket Watch Sign McCabe Royal Exchange London

Located in Carlisle, GB

8K Gold Antique Half Hunter Pocket Watch Signed James McCabe, Royal Exchange London on the Dial This watch is in good working order and it is ticking nicely but we cannot guarantee ...

Category

Antique 1890s Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

18K Gold Antique Half Hunter Pocket Watch by James McCabe, Royal Exchange London
18K Gold Antique Half Hunter Pocket Watch by James McCabe, Royal Exchange London

18K Gold Antique Half Hunter Pocket Watch by James McCabe, Royal Exchange London

Located in Carlisle, GB

18K Gold Antique Half Hunter Pocket Watch Signed James McCabe, Royal Exchange London This 50mm diameter pocket watch is in good working condition and it is ticking well.

Category

Antique 1890s British Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Enamel

CZAPEK & CIE Pocket Watch

CZAPEK & CIE Pocket Watch

Unavailable

Dm 1.38 in

CZAPEK & CIE Pocket Watch

Located in Southampton, NY

An 18 karat half hunter pocket watch in the lepine style. A presentation piece by Napoleon III, with the case decorated in guilloche cobalt blue enamel and rose cut diamonds set in s...

Category

French Pocket Watches

Pocketwatch Reguateur Veritable Echappement Roskopf Oversized Railroad
Pocketwatch Reguateur Veritable Echappement Roskopf Oversized Railroad

Pocketwatch Reguateur Veritable Echappement Roskopf Oversized Railroad

Located in Aliso Viejo, CA

Sterling Silver Antique Pocketwatch Reguateur Veritable Echappement Roskopf Oversized Railroad Half Hunter Very cool old estate watch with a round white ceramic face, roman numerals...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Civil War Pocket Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Yellow Gold Ladies Half Hunter Antique Pocket Watch
Yellow Gold Ladies Half Hunter Antique Pocket Watch

Yellow Gold Ladies Half Hunter Antique Pocket Watch

By Thomas Russell & Son

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional fine and impressive antique Victorian solid gold half hunter style ladies' pocket watch; part of our diverse watch and jewelry collections.

Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Art Deco Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Vintage Art Deco Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Vintage Art Deco Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Located in NEWARK, GB

A handsome vintage, Art Deco era sterling silver Half Hunter pocket watch. A Swiss movement, it is a well made watch with a heavy sterling silver case, the outer cuvette enamelled w...

Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

Rolex. A Rose Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1924
Rolex. A Rose Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1924

Rolex. A Rose Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1924

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

The movement is fully jewelled with compensation balance, slow fast regulation and blued over coiled hair spring. The watch is in excellent working order. This half hunter pocket wa...

Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

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Half Hunter Watch For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the half hunter watch you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, Enamel and Silver. You’re likely to find the perfect half hunter watch among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Creating a half hunter watch has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by J.W. Benson, American Waltham Watch Co. and Thomas Russell & Son are consistently popular. If you’re browsing our inventory for a half hunter watch, you’ll find that many are available today for men, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and women.

How Much is a Half Hunter Watch?

On average, a half hunter watch at 1stDibs sells for $1,699, while they’re typically $390 on the low end and $22,509 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Finding the Right Pocket-watches for You

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.