Antique Pocket Watches
1920s American Art Deco Antique Pocket Watches
Gold-filled
1890s French Antique Pocket Watches
1920s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Edwardian Antique Pocket Watches
Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
1880s Swiss Late Victorian Antique Pocket Watches
Gold
1880s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Pocket Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel, 18k Gold
1920s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold, Gold, Enamel
1910s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
14k Gold, Rose Gold
1920s Antique Pocket Watches
Gold-filled
1890s Antique Pocket Watches
Gold
1860s British Victorian Antique Pocket Watches
Silver, Sterling Silver
1890s British Antique Pocket Watches
Silver
1810s British George III Antique Pocket Watches
Brass, Bronze
Early 1800s British Antique Pocket Watches
Silver, Enamel
1890s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold
1820s French Antique Pocket Watches
Enamel
1890s English Antique Pocket Watches
Gold
1890s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
Gold, 14k Gold
1880s Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Antique Pocket Watches
Brass
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Pocket Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Antique Pocket Watches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Pocket Watches
Yellow Gold
1890s Swiss Baroque Antique Pocket Watches
Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Antique Pocket Watches
Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
19th Century Antique Pocket Watches
1890s American Antique Pocket Watches
1890s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold
1920s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
1920s French Art Deco Antique Pocket Watches
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
Gold-filled
1810s British Antique Pocket Watches
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Pocket Watches
19th Century Antique Pocket Watches
19th Century Antique Pocket Watches
1920s American Art Deco Antique Pocket Watches
Gold
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Pocket Watches
19th Century American Antique Pocket Watches
Early 20th Century Antique Pocket Watches
Late 19th Century American Antique Pocket Watches
1870s American Civil War Antique Pocket Watches
Gold-filled
1890s Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
Yellow Gold
19th Century American Antique Pocket Watches
Yellow Gold
19th Century American Antique Pocket Watches
White Gold
19th Century Antique Pocket Watches
Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
14k Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century American Antique Pocket Watches
Gold-filled, Silver
Early 20th Century Antique Pocket Watches
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s British Antique Pocket Watches
19th Century Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pocket Watches
14k Gold
19th Century English Antique Pocket Watches
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Antique Pocket Watches
Diamond, Platinum
1890s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
Rose Gold
1860s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold
1890s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century American Antique Pocket Watches
14k Gold, Rose Gold
- 1
- ...
Antique Pocket Watches For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Antique Pocket Watches?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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.
- What is the best pocket watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021The 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 do I store pocket watches?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022How 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.
- What is a pocket watch fob?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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.
- What is a Fusee pocket watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A 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 ExpertMarch 22, 2022The 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.
- What is a hunter pocket watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A 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, 2024The 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 24, 2024To tell how old your pocket watch is, learn about its maker by conducting online research using trustworthy sources. For each maker, there is a set of characteristics used to date its timepieces. You may need to examine the maker's mark, serial number, model number, movement number, dial features or other aspects. If you run into any difficulty, consider having a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer assist you with the dating process. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of pocket watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024What the most expensive pocket watch is will vary over time as luxury watchmakers release new models. In 2019, Patek Philippe set a record when a brand new Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 fetched an auction price of $31 million, making it the most expensive pocket watch ever sold. Before that, another Patek Philippe model, a 1932 Henry Graves Supercomplication, held the record. Explore a wide range of pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024Waltham pocket watches are more than 150 years old. The American watchmaker introduced its first pocket watch in 1857, and it called this groundbreaking watch the Model 1857 in honor of its launch date. Waltham went on to become one of the leading makers of pocket watches for personal use and the railroad industry in the U.S. Shop a diverse assortment of Waltham watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024Elgin pocket watches are more than 150 years old. The first Elgin pocket watch debuted in 1867, and the Elgin National Watch Co. watchmaker continued to produce them until 1968. At the height of their popularity, Elgin pocket watches accounted for half of all pocket watches sold in the U.S. On 1stDibs, find a range of Elgin watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022How 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To know if your pocket watch is valuable, consult a licensed appraiser. Choose one with experience appraising antique and vintage timepieces. Having your pocket watch evaluated by a knowledgeable professional is the only way to be certain of its value. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique and vintage pocket watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024To change a battery in a pocket watch, you must first remove the watch back. Depending on the type of watch, you may need a specially designed tool or a precision screwdriver to accomplish this task. Once you have the back removed, you may need to remove parts to access the battery and perform the replacement. Because there is so much variability in timepiece design and you could potentially damage your watch when removing the back and other parts, experts recommend having an experienced watch repairer replace the battery. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of pocket watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Pocket watches come in a variety of sizes but the most popular sizes for women are 0s, 6s and 8s. Measuring pocket watches is a bit confusing and to make it easier a 0s is1.166”, a 6s is 1.367” and 8s is 1.433”. So it’s fairly safe to say that an average size for a woman’s pocket watch is between 1 and 1.5 inches. Find vintage and contemporary pocket watches from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Does Rolex make pocket watches?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Rolex 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.
Read More
Patek Philippe’s Calatrava Watch Is an Icon of Understated Elegance
Launched in 1932, the model has become emblematic of quality craftsmanship and timeless design.
Bulgari’s Serpenti Wristwatch Is the Power Piece of the Moment, Again
From Elizabeth Taylor to Zendaya, the Serpenti has been the accessory of choice for generations of it girls.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex: 13+ Expert Tips
Learn the devious techniques that counterfeiters use to sell inauthentic pieces at authentic prices. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller of Rolex watches is highly vetted.
This Piaget Gold Nugget Watch Is the Embodiment of Delicious ’70s Excess
With a tigereye dial and a most unusual bracelet, this cuff-style piece is a singular style statement.
This Sweet Diamond Watch Has a Literary Bent
Modeled on one of the most often quoted romances of the 20th century, the book-shaped timepiece has love written all over it.
Stylish Year-Round, This Pumpkin-Colored Patek Philippe Aquanaut Feels Especially Right for Fall
Celebrate the season with a Patek watch made for enjoying the outdoors.
These Watches with 1970s, 1980s and Early Aughts Flair Are Trending Right Now
Feeling a wave of Y2K nostalgia or craving disco-era glamour? Rewind with a chic retro timepiece.