Where To Buy A Pocket Watch

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Whether an IWC watch is worth buying depends on a few factors, such as how well it has been cared for and the piece itself. IWC, one of Switzerland’s major luxury watch companies, was started by an American who saw the potential of bringing Switzerland’s superb watchmaking into the modern age through industrialized manufacturing and high-precision interchangeable parts. The New Hampshire–born watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones (1841–1916), who founded International Watch Company, known today as simply IWC, in 1868, was interested in “combining all the excellence of the American system of mechanism with the more skillful hand labor of the Swiss.” Pre-owned IWC watches are known to hold their value if extremely well-cared for and some may even increase in value over time. Because it can be difficult to predict how the value of items will change over time, though, choose timepieces that appeal to you. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of IWC watches from some of the world’s top sellers.

Which Vacheron Constantin watch you should buy is largely a matter of personal preference. The brand produces pocket watches and wristwatches for men as well as wristwatches for women. In addition to contemporary designs, you can find authentic timepieces produced in the 19th- and 20th-centuries. Shop a collection of Vacheron Constantin watches on 1stDibs.

You can buy a Rolex watch from any official retailer around the world. To find one near you, use the ‘Store Locator’ function on Rolex’s website. On 1stDibs, you can also shop a selection of expertly vetted Rolex watches from some of the world’s top sellers.

Whether you can just buy a Patek Philippe watch depends on what type of timepiece you would like. Patek Philippe sells its new watches via authorized dealers, and the waitlist for purchasing one is often quite lengthy. However, you can also shop for the luxury watchmaker’s timepieces on trusted online platforms. Explore a large selection of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.

Yes, you can buy some watches directly from Omega through the luxury watchmaker's official website. However, styles frequently sell out, and some models aren't available through the site. You can shop for Omega timepieces at authorized dealers and on reputable online platforms. Explore a variety of Omega watches on 1stDibs.

There are two official Omega boutiques in NYC, as well as a number of retailers they have partnered with. Check their website for an updated list and helpful store locator tool. Shop a range of authenticated Omega watches on 1stDibs from some of the top boutiques around the world.

Authentic Rolex watches can be bought from any official retailer around the world. When looking for a store near you, simply use the ‘Store Locator’ resource on Rolex’s website. You’ll also find a variety of expertly vetted Rolex timepieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Many watch lovers believe that Zenith watches are worth buying. Since 1865, the Swiss manufacturer has become known for producing reliable timepieces, and the company has won more than 2,300 watch design prizes throughout its more than 150-year history. Some of the maker's timepieces that are popular among collectors include the Pilot Cronometro Tipo CP-2, the Elite Captain Central Second Silver Sunray Dial, the Chronomaster El Primero and the Zenith Defy Zero G. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Zenith watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find Zenith watches and other watches on 1stDibs.

Whether or not it's hard to buy a Rolex watch may change slightly over time. It is generally more difficult to buy Rolex watches from authorized dealers than many other watches due to the high demand compared to the limited supply of new models produced by the Swiss maker. However, pre-owned Rolex watches are often found on trusted online platforms. Explore a selection of Rolex watches on 1stDibs.