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Oldest Pocket Watch

Recent Sales

Rolex Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
From Rolex’s very limited array of pocket watches, this 1920s watch is one of Rolex’s oldest
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Modern Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
Rolex Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
H 1.33 in D 0.33 in Dm 0.98 in
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Oldest Pocket Watch For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact oldest pocket watch you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from gold, 14k gold and yellow gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 12 vintage editions and 1 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a oldest pocket watch from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. A oldest pocket watch from Bulgari, Black, Starr & Frost and Eytan Brandes — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. Take a look at a oldest pocket watch featuring diamond from our inventory today to add the perfect touch to your look. A brilliant cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also mixed cut and old european cut versions for sale. If you’re browsing our inventory for a oldest pocket 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 Oldest Pocket Watch?

Prices for a oldest pocket watch can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $70 and can go as high as $58,315, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,249.
Questions About Oldest Pocket Watch
  • 1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024
    The oldest Waltham watch is the Waltham Model 1857 pocket watch. Introduced in 1857, this mechanical pocket watch was the first American-made pocket watch to ever enjoy widespread commercial success. Waltham began making wristwatches in the early 20th century. One of its first models that went on to generate significant sales was the Riverside, which debuted in 1912. Shop a selection of Waltham watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024
    Vacheron Constantin is the oldest luxury watchmaker that is still in operation and has operated continuously since its establishment. The company was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, the son of a master weaver in Geneva, who instilled in his children his belief that working with one’s hands is a noble endeavor. Vintage Vacheron Constantin watches continue to charm and captivate collectors, and the manufacturer’s Maltese cross logo, adopted in 1877, is instantly recognizable as an emblem of luxurious design and enduring quality. Explore a wide range of Vacheron Constantin watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024
    Here are some of the oldest British watch companies: Founded in 1846, the Fears Watch Company of Bristol operated continuously until the 1970s, when the quartz crisis led to financial difficulties. The founder's great-great-great grandson relaunched the brand in 2016. Other British brands with long histories include Smiths Watches, established in 1851, and the Rochester Watch Company, which opened in 1900. Shop a wide range of watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024
    The oldest watch brand in India is Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT). It launched in 1961 as part of a partnership with the Japanese watchmaker Citizen Watch Co. HMT's first watch debuted in 1963. It was named the Janta after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Find a diverse assortment of watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024
    The oldest American watch brand that is still in operation is Waltham. When he founded the company in 1850, Aaron Lufkin Dennison revolutionized the industry by introducing the concept of replaceable watch components. This innovation allowed wristwatches and pocket watches to be produced in a fraction of the time it traditionally took to handcraft a watch with unique components. Find a selection of Waltham watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024
    No, Longines is not the oldest watch brand. However, the company does have a long history that dates back to its founding in 1832. The oldest luxury watch brand is actually Vacheron Constantin, which Jean-Marc Vacheron founded in 1755. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Longines and Vacheron Constantin watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A pocket watch pocket is called by a number of names. You will sometimes see people refer to it simply as a watch pocket. Other names include a coin pocket or a fob pocket. Find a variety of antique pocket watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024
    Yes, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watch company in the world that remains in operation today. It was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, the son of a master weaver in Geneva who instilled in his children his belief that working with one’s hands is a noble endeavor. Vacheron took his father’s convictions to heart and opened his watchmaking workshop at the age of 24. The watchmaker made custom watches for royalty and was an innovator in its field. Since becoming known as Vacheron & Constantin in 1819 — and later, Vacheron Constantin — the company has enjoyed international acclaim for everything from jewelry watches to provocatively shaped designs. On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of Vacheron Constantin watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    The way to speed up your pocket watch depends on the specific model of timepiece that you have. To avoid damage, take it to a watch repair shop with experience repairing pocket watches to make adjustments. You'll find a selection of pocket watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    A hunter pocket watch is a pocket watch with a metal case that has a spring hinged lid to cover the watch face and protect it from damage.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024
    The most highly sought-after pocket watch will vary over time as trends in collecting do come and go. However, some pocket watches remain consistently popular among collectors. These timepieces include dress watches, such as those crafted by Elgin, Audemars Piguet and Patek Phillippe; railroad pocket watches produced by makers like Illinois and Hamilton; and military timepieces manufactured by Rolex and Omega. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of pocket watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A fusee pocket watch — named for the French word fusée — is an antique type of watch with a crescent pulley and a curved groove around it that is wound with a cord or chain. The chain is attached to the mainspring barrel. Find a range of vintage fusee pocket watches on 1stDibs today.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    The best pocket watch is a matter of preference. 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. Brands like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet are internationally renowned makers of pocket watches. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage pocket watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A pocket watch fob refers to the chain or ribbon to which a pocket watch is attached. Its purpose was to make the watch more readily accessible to the wearer. You’ll find a variety of pocket watch fobs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    How you store pocket watches is largely a matter of personal preference. Generally, you should keep them in a storage container designed specifically for stowing delicate items, such as a velvet-lined jewelry box, a watch box or on a watch stand. Shop a variety of antique and vintage pocket watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, pocket watches peaked in popularity in the 1800s. The first pocket watch was created in Germany in 1510, but was originally too large for a pocket. In the 1600s, the design began to get more compact, but for a long time pocket watches were a rarity and a symbol of wealth. Shop an array of antique pocket watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify a railroad pocket watch, first determine how you set and wind it. Most pocket watches have winding knobs, but railroad-grade timepieces were all made to be lever-set. To wind and set them, it's necessary to remove the bezel, so if your pocket watch has a winding knob, it's unlikely to be railroad-grade. There were also regulations concerning the numbers. All railroad-grade watches will have large black hour markers in Arabic, not Roman, numerals. Maker's markings may also provide a clue. Some well-known makers of railroad-grade pocket watches include Elgin, Hamilton, Waltham and E. Howard. For an expert opinion on your timepiece, have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer evaluate it. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of railroad pocket watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    The easiest way to identify your Elgin pocket watch is to enter the serial number into an authoritative online database. To find the serial number, open the timepiece and look at the inner movement. On 1stDibs, find a selection of expertly vetted Elgin pocket watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To open an Illinois pocket watch, take it to a watch repair shop or a jeweler. Experts advise against attempting to open pocket watches on your own because doing so without the proper tools can damage the timepieces. On 1stDibs, find a range of Illinois pocket watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To use a pocket watch chain, first attach one end to the fob of your watch. Then, tuck the watch into the watch pocket of your jacket. Thread the free end of the chain through your jacket buttonhole. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of pocket watches.