Jeweled Pocket Watch

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.

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.

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 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.

On a watch, 21 jewels means that the timepiece has a particular type of movement. Specifically, the movement features 21 jewel capstones that serve as bearings, allowing the gears inside to turn. Typically, only high-end mechanical timepieces feature 21 jewels, with 17 jewels being more common. Find a diverse assortment of watches from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

The term “seven-jewel watch” means one that has seven pivots. This means that there are seven bearings on the wheel train that powers the movement of a mechanical watch. Pivots usually have natural or synthetic ruby gemstone insets, which is where the term jewel comes from. You'll find a collection of mechanical watches on 1stDibs.

Like its hunter-case cousin, the half-hunter pocket watch features a protective lid or case that protects the face of the watch. The distinction is that the case front has a viewing window that allows the owner to check the time without having to open the pocket watch lid. The hours are frequently inscribed in blue enamel on the exterior lid itself, making it possible to tell the time without opening the case. Shop a range of vintage half-hunter pocket watches on 1stDibs.

Full hunter pocket watches are a popular choice for those nostalgic for timepieces of years past. The solid outer case of this type of watch, which often features intricate designs, needs to be opened in order to reveal the watch’s face. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage watches.

A minute repeater pocket watch comes with a repeater that chimes the time by pushing a button. They come with three different chimes; the hours have a low chime, minute by a high chime, and quarter hours by a sequence of two chimes. Shop a range of antique and vintage pocket watches on 1stDibs.

A key-wind pocket watch is a type of portable timepiece produced from the early 19th century through the middle of the 19th century. It features a mechanism that requires regular winding with a device called a winding key. Shop a range of key-wind pocket watches on 1stDibs.

How to open a Howard pocket watch depends on its design. However, experts recommend that you don't attempt to open one yourself. Instead, take the piece to a watch repair center that has experience servicing pocket watches. Doing so will help you avoid damaging the timepiece. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Howard pocket watches.

A pocket watch chain is called a fob, or watch fob. They can be made in a variety of materials, but most often appear in a metal that matches the case of the watch itself. Shop a collection of antique watch fobs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Rolex made pocket watches from 1905 through to the 1970s. The last pocket watch released was a small, ultra-formal 18 karat piece. Own a piece of history by shopping a selection of Rolex pocket watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

The best way to determine the year of a pocket watch is to identify and look up the serial number. Pocket watch serial numbers can be located inside the watch once you remove or open the back cover of the watch. Shop a wide range of pocket watches on 1stDibs.

To open a Hamilton pocket watch, take it to a reputable watch repair shop. Experts advise against opening antique pocket watches on your own because special tools are necessary to avoid damaging the timepieces. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Hamilton pocket watches.