Browse a vast assortment of pocket watch jewels for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of
gold,
18k gold and
yellow gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our selection of items includes 1140 vintage examples as well as 22 contemporary versions. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 18th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century.
Art Deco and
Art Nouveau are consistently popular styles when it comes to pocket watch jewels. Many examples in our inventory of these items are appealing no matter their origins, but
Patek Philippe,
Elgin and
Hamilton produced popular versions that are worth a look. While most can agree that any pick from our collection easily elevates most outfits, but the choice of
diamond versions from the 39 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. A selection of
round cut,
bead and
rose cut can be found today on these pages. If you’re browsing the variety of pocket watch jewels for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for
men, but there are still pieces to choose from for
women.
Prices for pocket watch jewels can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $50 and can go as high as $250,000, while pocket watch jewels, on average, fetch $2,885.
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.