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Working Pocket Watch

Masonic Elgin pocket watch 1900s Gold Filled
Masonic Elgin pocket watch 1900s Gold Filled

Masonic Elgin pocket watch 1900s Gold Filled

By Elgin

Located in Wallkill, NY

1900s Hand painted Masonic Elgin pocket watch - In working condition Manufacturer: Elgin Manufacturer Location: Elgin, Illinois Movement Serial Number: 20834797 Grade: 3...

Category

Vintage 1910s Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

A Rare Swiss Musical Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch C.1820s
A Rare Swiss Musical Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch C.1820s

A Rare Swiss Musical Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch C.1820s

By Unbranded

Located in Mayfair, London, London

Nonetheless, the watch is in excellent condition and working well.

Category

Antique 1820s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

1920s Platinum Tiffany & Co. Diamond Pocket Watch with Chain
1920s Platinum Tiffany & Co. Diamond Pocket Watch with Chain

1920s Platinum Tiffany & Co. Diamond Pocket Watch with Chain

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Sewickley, PA

This elegant WORKING Tiffany & Co. Diamond pocket watch exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and timeless luxury associated with one of America's most iconic jewelers.

Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Recent Sales

Vintage Pocket Watch
Vintage Pocket Watch

Vintage Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This Silver plated pocket watch is working and ticking well. The case is a bit tarnished as shown.

Category

Vintage 1980s Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Sterling Silver Coin-Heart Pendant Watch (working)
Vintage Sterling Silver Coin-Heart Pendant Watch (working)

Vintage Sterling Silver Coin-Heart Pendant Watch (working)

Located in New York, NY

This vintage pendant watch has a heart shape with a 1938 US liberty dime in the center and opens to a watch. Open and see the watch on the right and the other side of the dime on th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gunmetal Stem-Wind Pocket Watch
Antique Gunmetal Stem-Wind Pocket Watch

Antique Gunmetal Stem-Wind Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

Antique Gunmetal Pocket Watch Working. This beautiful 50mm diameter keyless stem winding mechanical gunmetal pocket watch is in good working condition and it is running well.

Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Enamel, Gilt Metal

Antique Small Gunmetal Pocket Fob Watch
Antique Small Gunmetal Pocket Fob Watch

Antique Small Gunmetal Pocket Fob Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful antique small pocket watch is working and ticking well. The back cover case is a bit tarnished.

Category

Antique 1880s Pocket Watches

Materials

Gilt Metal

Antique Mechanical Sports Recorder Pocket Watch
Antique Mechanical Sports Recorder Pocket Watch

Antique Mechanical Sports Recorder Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This pre-owned antique sports recorder pocket watch is working and it is running well. Visible signs of wearing and has aged with the chrome metal case/ Bessel is tarnished as shown.

Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver Plate, Gilt Metal

Antique Stem-Winding Silver Pocket Watch
Antique Stem-Winding Silver Pocket Watch

Antique Stem-Winding Silver Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful antique silver hand-winding pocket watch is working and it is running well.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch
Antique Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch

Antique Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful antique silver pocket watch is working and ticking well. Visible dents on the silver case back cover as shown.

Category

Antique 1880s Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch
Antique Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch

Antique Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This stunning key-wind silver pocket watch is working and is ticking well. It comes with a key.

Category

Antique 1880s Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Big /Goliath Steel Pocket Watch
Antique Big /Goliath Steel Pocket Watch

Antique Big /Goliath Steel Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This charming antique big hand winding pocket watch is working and it is ticking well. Visible signs of ageing and used with some scratches on the glass and on the watch case.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Pocket Watches

Materials

Steel

Antique Big Silver Key Winding Pocket Watch
Antique Big Silver Key Winding Pocket Watch

Antique Big Silver Key Winding Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful heavy antique 56mm diameter (Excluding the crown) pocket watch is working and running well. Visible signs of ageing and wear with light surface marks on the glass and ...

Category

Antique 1880s British Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

Antique Silver Pin Set Hand Winding Pocket Watch
Antique Silver Pin Set Hand Winding Pocket Watch

Antique Silver Pin Set Hand Winding Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful antique 48mm diameter hand winding pocket watch is working and it keeps a good time.

Category

Antique 1880s French Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

Early and Rare Chinese Duplex Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch
Early and Rare Chinese Duplex Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch

Early and Rare Chinese Duplex Silver Key-Wind Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This Early and Extremely Rare Chinese Duplex Key-wind Pocket Watch is working and it is ticking well but I cannot guarantee its time accuracy.

Category

Antique 1880s British Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Beautifully Engraved Hand Winding Pocket Watch with Roskopf Escapement
Antique Beautifully Engraved Hand Winding Pocket Watch with Roskopf Escapement

Antique Beautifully Engraved Hand Winding Pocket Watch with Roskopf Escapement

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful 56mm diameter hand winding pin set pocket watch is working and it is ticking well. Visita signs of ageing and wear with some cracks on the while enamel dial.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches

Heavy and Big Antique Silver Plated “Goliath” 8Day Pocket Watch
Heavy and Big Antique Silver Plated “Goliath” 8Day Pocket Watch

Heavy and Big Antique Silver Plated “Goliath” 8Day Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This amazingly big and heavy 8Day Movement Pocket Watch is working and it is ticking well. Visible hairline cracks on the dial and the stem hands is a bit tarnished as shown.

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Pocket Watches

Early and Rare Verge Fusee 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch
Early and Rare Verge Fusee 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch

Early and Rare Verge Fusee 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This Beautiful Early Verge Fusee 39mm case diameter (excluding crown) gold pocket watch is working and ticking well however due to its age I cannot guarantee the time accuracy.

Category

Antique 1860s Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Base Metal, Enamel

Antique Pocket Watch Signed a Pendula Numinense, Rio de Janeiro N20248
Antique Pocket Watch Signed a Pendula Numinense, Rio de Janeiro N20248

Antique Pocket Watch Signed a Pendula Numinense, Rio de Janeiro N20248

Located in Carlisle, GB

This Stem wind Antique Pocket Watch is working and ticking nicely. Visible Crack on the Glass.

Category

Antique 1880s Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver Plate, Enamel

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

Early English Lever Fusee Silver Full Hunter Engine Turned Case Pocket Watch
Early English Lever Fusee Silver Full Hunter Engine Turned Case Pocket Watch

Early English Lever Fusee Silver Full Hunter Engine Turned Case Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This Charming 51mm diameter good quality English Lever Fusee Silver Pocket watch is working and it is ticking well. It comes with a winding Key.

Category

Antique 1880s British Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Early English Lever Fusee Silver Full Hunter Engine Turned Case Pocket Watch
Early English Lever Fusee Silver Full Hunter Engine Turned Case Pocket Watch

Early English Lever Fusee Silver Full Hunter Engine Turned Case Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This Charming and good quality English Lever Fusee Silver Pocket watch is working and it is ticking well. It comes with a winding Key.

Category

Antique 1880s British Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Key-Wind Victorian Period Silver Pocket Watch with Mint Green Enamel Dial
Key-Wind Victorian Period Silver Pocket Watch with Mint Green Enamel Dial

Key-Wind Victorian Period Silver Pocket Watch with Mint Green Enamel Dial

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful full engraved silver case pocket watch is working and It is ticking well, however due to its age, I cannot guarantee the time accuracy ( its 8 minutes fast a day) whic...

Category

Antique 1880s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver, Enamel

18K Gold Victorian Period Ladies Fob / Pocket Watch Signed by John Neal, London
18K Gold Victorian Period Ladies Fob / Pocket Watch Signed by John Neal, London

18K Gold Victorian Period Ladies Fob / Pocket Watch Signed by John Neal, London

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful antique key-wind gold pocket watch is working and it is ticking well. The metal ring or Loop is different colour to the watch case as shown.

Category

Antique 1880s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

1906 Tiffany & Co. Diamond, Natural Ruby and Enamel 18 Carat Gold Pocket Watch
1906 Tiffany & Co. Diamond, Natural Ruby and Enamel 18 Carat Gold Pocket Watch

1906 Tiffany & Co. Diamond, Natural Ruby and Enamel 18 Carat Gold Pocket Watch

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in London, GB

A beautiful 1906 Tiffany signed pocket watch in working order with marks. Measures W: 2.7cm H: 3.3cm D:0.86cm Weight: 17.6g

Category

Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Enamel

Antique 18 Karat Gold Engine Turned Case Stauffer Chaux-de-Fonds Pocket Watch
Antique 18 Karat Gold Engine Turned Case Stauffer Chaux-de-Fonds Pocket Watch

Antique 18 Karat Gold Engine Turned Case Stauffer Chaux-de-Fonds Pocket Watch

Located in Carlisle, GB

This beautiful antique gold pocket watch is working and it is ticking well. Visible signs of used and ageing with some light dents and scratches on the watch case and the dial is a b...

Category

Antique 1870s Swiss Early Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage Hampden Pocket Watch 1916, 17 Jewel, Paul Revere, Working, Case
Vintage Hampden Pocket Watch 1916, 17 Jewel, Paul Revere, Working, Case

Vintage Hampden Pocket Watch 1916, 17 Jewel, Paul Revere, Working, Case

By Hampden Watch Company

Located in San Diego, CA

Vintage Hampden Pocket Watch 1916, 17 Jewel, Paul Revere, WORKING, 43mm Case, Silver, Chronograph, Excellent Condition, Gold Numerals.

Category

Vintage 1910s American Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

Waltham Pocket Watch Gold Plated Year 1908 Working Jewel 16804744
Waltham Pocket Watch Gold Plated Year 1908 Working Jewel 16804744

Waltham Pocket Watch Gold Plated Year 1908 Working Jewel 16804744

By American Waltham Watch Co.

Located in San Diego, CA

Waltham pocket watch gold plated, the year 1908. The case is in very good condition with minor wear; 50mm in diameter and 13mm thick.

Category

Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

14kt Yellow Gold  1923 Waltham Pocket Watch 44mm Case Serviced Warranty Working
14kt Yellow Gold  1923 Waltham Pocket Watch 44mm Case Serviced Warranty Working

14kt Yellow Gold 1923 Waltham Pocket Watch 44mm Case Serviced Warranty Working

By American Waltham Watch Co.

Located in San Diego, CA

Introducing a stunning 1923 14kt yellow gold Waltham pocket watch, boasting a 44mm case adorned with exquisite engravings and a striking black and white enamel leaf design. Meticulou...

Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Gold-Plated Elgin Pocket Watch, Year 1883, Working, 11 Jewel
Vintage Gold-Plated Elgin Pocket Watch, Year 1883, Working, 11 Jewel

Vintage Gold-Plated Elgin Pocket Watch, Year 1883, Working, 11 Jewel

By Elgin

Located in San Diego, CA

Vintage Gold Plated Elgin Pocket Watch, Year 1883, Working, 11 Jewel, Size 8s, Hunting, Elgin National Watch Company, American Co. 41mm Case.

Category

Antique 1880s American Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Vintage 1923 Illinois Pocket Watch, Railroad, Gold-Plated, Working, 17 Jewel
Vintage 1923 Illinois Pocket Watch, Railroad, Gold-Plated, Working, 17 Jewel

Vintage 1923 Illinois Pocket Watch, Railroad, Gold-Plated, Working, 17 Jewel

Located in San Diego, CA

Vintage 1923 Illinois Pocket watch, Railroad, Gold Plated, Working, Size 16s, 17 Jewel, Openface, Model 9, Grade 706, Work, Black Numerals, Silver/Champagne Face, Gold Dial, It's wor...

Category

Vintage 1920s American Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

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Working Pocket Watch For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate working pocket watch for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of Gold, Gold Plate and Gold-filled, this item was constructed with great care. Finding the perfect working 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. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic working pocket watch over the years, but those made by American Waltham Watch Co., Elgin and Waltham are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Finding a working pocket watch for sale for men should be easy, but there are 17 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as women, too.

How Much is a Working Pocket Watch?

On average, a working pocket watch at 1stDibs sells for $383, while they’re typically $200 on the low end and $1,775 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.

Questions About Working Pocket Watch

  • 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.
  • Jewels on TimeAugust 12, 2021
    You have to manually wind the crown to generate power for the watch every 2 days.
    1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021
    A manual watch works as the user winds it on a regular basis. This timepiece has an inner movement driven by a mainspring that requires regular winding. Most manual watches last up to 40 hours with a single wind. Find a collection of vintage watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024
    Here's how old watches worked. First, the wearer would wind the watch, typically using a special key that fit into a slot on the case. As they turned the key, a mechanism placed tension on a spring called the mainspring. After winding, the spring would gradually release its tension, moving the timekeeping balance wheel and the watch hands. Shop a large collection of antique watches on 1stDibs.
  • 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 ExpertAugust 24, 2021
    As the name suggests, the Breitling Emergency watch has an integrated antenna system and is used in emergency situations. When the beacon is activated, the watch broadcasts a distress signal of approximately 100 miles and remains operational for 48 hours unless turned off. Find a wide range of vintage Breitling watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    An antique fob watch works with the help of a winding mechanism. Turning the winder puts tension on the clockwork gears, allowing them to move. Depending on the watch, you may wind it with a specially designed key or a winding crown located on the stem of the timepiece. You'll find a collection of antique fob 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A watch fob is the name for a pocket watch chain. It's utilized to make the pocket watch more accessible by providing a handle for the user to hold while taking it out of a vest or pant pocket. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of pocket watch chains.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, pocket watches can be a good investment. However, many factors can influence the value of a pocket watch, including the brand, the style and the mechanism that powers it. Also, how well you maintain and care for the watch impacts what it is worth. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage pocket watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Yes, pocket watches can be worth something. A pocket watch's value depends on its age, rarity, and brand. The watch's brand name is the main factor in determining price.