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Pocket Watches For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1930s
Agassiz Sterling Silver High Grade Split Seconds Chronograph Watch
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Agassiz Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced / Split Seconds Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver DIMENSIONS: Length & D...
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Janesich Art Deco Era Travel Clock
Located in New York, NY
This travel clock is triptych shaped. When its doors are opened, the dial appears, which is adorned with hours in black enameled Roman numerals on a white background under glass. Squ...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Waltham 5024935 Pocket Watch 14k Yellow Gold White Dial Case
Located in Surfside, FL
Waltham hunter case pocket watch 7 jewels, with porcelain dial and spade hands in 14k. Manual with sub-seconds.30 mm. Circa 1900s. Fine Pre-owned Waltha...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

J.E. Caldwell by Mimo Art Deco Asian Themed Enameled Desk Clock circa 1930's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Mimo for J. E. Caldwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Pocket Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Yellow Gold and Kiln Fired Enamel CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SI...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Pair of Antique Edwardian 14K Gold & Cloisonne Enamel Cufflinks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Edwardian cufflinks with octagonal heads.. In 14 karat gold. With 3-color cloisonne enamel decoration to its octagonal heads including the colors black, gra...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel

Illinois Watch Company Display Back Pocket Watch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
This sweet antique Illinois Watch Co. private label for Burlington Brass Pocket Watch, circa 1919 is converted to a skeleton watch with a glass displ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

Brass

Hampden 14K Yellow Gold Manual Hand Wind Elegant Unisex Pocket Watch
Located in New York, NY
This pre-owned Hampden is a beautiful Unisex timepiece that is powered by mechanical (hand-winding) movement which is cased in a yellow gold case. It has a round shape face, small ...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Pocket Watches

Waltham Pocket Watch 14k Yellow Gold White Porcelain Dial Case Manual
Located in Surfside, FL
Waltham hunter case pocket watch, 15 jewels, porcelain dial and spade hands in 14k yellow gold with beautiful engraving case. Manual with sub-seconds 34...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Longines Vintage Steel Chronograph Pocket Watch with Original Box and Papers
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930 Longines Chronograph Pocket Watch, 51 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece case with inside dust cover, 17 Jewel Caliber LXW nickle lever movem...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Steel

IWC Schaffhausen 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch
By IWC
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage International Watch Co. Schaffhausen 48mm pocket watch, never engraved. circa 1925-1930 Length: 62.54mm Width: 48mm Case thickness: 8.79mm Crystal: Acrylic Dial: Gold Inside Case: 803264 Outside Case: 778838 IWC Schaffhausen
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Belle Epoque Enamelled Silver Carriage / Pendulette Quarter Repeater Clock
Located in Antwerp, BE
Belle Epoque Grottendieck Bruxelles Enamelled Silver Carriage / Pendulette Clock in Very Nice Working Condition With Quarter Repetition Movement: mechanical with manual winding Functions: hours, minutes, quarter repeater...
Category

Early 20th Century Belle Époque Pocket Watches

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Rare Limited 18kt Gold Omega Chronometre Savonette Pocket Watch, Grade Very Best
Located in Antwerp, BE
Extremely Rare & Collectable Limited 18kt Yellow Gold Omega Chronometre pocket watch, Grade Very Best , calibre 43.15 S, “Grade Very Best Movement: Manual winding, “Chronometer” quality Case: 18kt Yellow gold case with diameter 52 mm, thickness 12 mm Dial: white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and black indexes Total weight: 102.8 gram / 3.630 oz / 66.1 dwt 18 kt yellow gold, hunting-case, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket chronometer...
Category

1930s Swiss Artisan Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Waltham Classic 5076629 Pocket Watch 14k Yellow Gold, Porcelain Dial and Spade
Located in Surfside, FL
American Waltham Royal hunter case pocket watch, 7 jewels, porcelain dial and spade hands in 14k yellow gold pocket watch. 30mm. Manual w/ subseconds. Circa 1900s. Fine Pre-owned Wal...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold Filled American Waltham Pocket Watch
Located in Stamford, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold American Waltham Pocket Watch. Just serviced in fine working condition. Case no. 65463776 Sapphire Dial no. 2001...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold-filled

Waltham Pocket Watch Ref. 337299 Waltham Riverside in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Surfside, FL
Waltham Riverside open faced pocket watch 19 jewels, gold dial and heavy spade hands in 14k yellow gold. Manual w/ subseconds. 45mm. Circa 1915. Fine...
Category

1910s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold, Tiffany & Co Enamelled Pendant Watch on Chain
Located in Brisbane, QLD
This Art Nouveau pendant watch on chain was made for Tiffany & Co for retail in the United States. The watch hangs from a yellow gold filled curb link chain that has a swivel type cl...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Omega Art Deco Vintage Steel cased Pocket Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa late 1930s Omega Pocket Watch, 44 M.M. Diameter X 7 M.M. thick 3 Piece Omega signed Stainless Steel case. 15 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind Nickle lever movement. Original, near mint Silver Satin dial with raised mirrored...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Steel

Hampden Open Face 14 Karat Gold Antique Pocket Watch Grade 314 12S 21-Jewel
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Hampden Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Blue Hands & Dedicated Second Dial 14K Yellow Gold Case w/ Intricate Hand-E...
Category

Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Illinois Watch Co. Grade 525 14 Karat Gold Open Face Pocket Watch 17 Jewel
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Illinois Watch Co. Pocket Watch w/ Discolored Dial 14KT White Gold Case w/ Intricate Hand-Etched Design on Case "TEM" on Back of C...
Category

Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Victorian Patek Philippe Gold Lapel Watch Pocket
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare Patek Philippe lapel/pocket watch that would be definitely a conversational piece. It was created in Switzerland in the 1900s. Made of 18 karat (stamped) yellow gold. The movement is original Patek Philippe manual...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Victorian Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

J.W. Benson Yellow Gold Filled Half Hunter Pocket Watch, circa 1900s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W. Benson STYLE / REFERENCE: Men's Full Size Half Hunter Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Heavy Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1900...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Art Deco Antique Pocket Watches

Movado Pocket Watch 1260 Manual Watch, 9k Antique Gold Fob Chain
Located in Surfside, FL
Movado pocket travel clock- watch in a croco-lizard skin case with a 14" 9k antique gold fob chain. Manual. Ref 1260. Circa 1930s. Fine Pre-owned Movado Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Movado pocket watch...
Category

1930s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold

Antique 14K Yellow Gold Fancy Watch Fob with Gold Charm
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Circa 1900, for pocket watch enthusiasts. Antique fourteen karat 14K yellow gold 4.5 inch fancy pocket watch fob made with custom rolo chain links a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Longines Grey Blue White Gold Art Deco Enamel Watch Pendant
Located in Stamford, CT
Longines enamel pendant watch. Gray blue and white enamel and gold face, with a matching 22 inch chain. Circa 1912. 14k white gold 21.9 grams Tested: 14k 14k white gold Length: 22 Inches Dangle: 2.5 inches Watch: 1.25 inches Width: 2.03mm Depth: 2.03mm Inside case:14k Whittnauer Watch...
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Enamel

Antique 10 Karat Rose Gold Folding Watch Chain Fob Pendant
Located in Wallkill, NY
Fabulous early Rose Gold Folding Watch chain. Measuring 3.8 x .65. This would look amazing added to a chain to wear as a pendant. This is out of a massive collection of Contemporary ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

10k Gold, Rose Gold

Russian Imperial Presentation Jewelled Platinum and Gold Pendant Watch
Located in Braintree, GB
Russian Imperial presentation jewelled platinum and gold pendant watch Made by Moser & Co Made in St. Petersburg, 1908-1917 The circular brooch cen...
Category

Early 1900s Russian Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum

Touchon & Co. Art Nouveau Open Faced Pocket Watch, circa 1900s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Touchon & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced METAL / MATERIAL: Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1900's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 48mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 21...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Antique Flower Basket Blue Enamel Sterling Pendant Watch Necklace By Becker
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Antique pendant watch featuring a powder blue guilloche enameled case and a flower basket decoration in the center. The outside of the sterling...
Category

Early 20th Century German Pocket Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Antique Art Deco 1927 Elgin 14 Karat White Gold Filled 17 Jewels Pocket Watch
Located in Wallkill, NY
Elgin Open Face White Gold Filled Pocket Watch size 12. Art Deco in style Grade 479- Serial number 31210787. Measuring 2.10 inches top to bottom x 1....
Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Longines 14kt Yellow Gold Open Face Chronograph Pocket Watch from 1920's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Chronograph / High Grade Movement METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 52mm x ...
Category

1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vintage Banner 7 Jewel Swiss Watch Pin/Brooch, Skeleton Feature
Located in Austin, TX
A vintage pin and clock/watch that is detachable and attachable. This piece is vintage and in great condition. The watch/clock is a Swiss-made Banner watch...
Category

1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Pocket Watches

Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Open Face Pocket Watch from 1879
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced / Full Size METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1879 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 55mm MOVEMENT / CALIB...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Gubelin of Switzerland Art Deco Desk Clock, circa 1930s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Gubelin STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Gilt Bronze CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 3 1/2" X 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Wind...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Enamel and Serpentine 'Montre à Volets' Lapel Watch
Located in New York, NY
The reeded gold panel opens to reveal the square-shaped cream dial with Arabic numerals and blued steel-hands, on a black enamel base with cabochon serpentine double crowns; mounted ...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Enamel

Elgin Open-Face 14 Karat Gold Antique Pocket Watch Gr 364 12S 15J 1910
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Elgin Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Cobalt Blue Hands & Dedicated Second Dial 14k Yellow Gold Case w/ Intricate Han...
Category

Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Hamilton Open Face Gold Filled Antique Pocket Watch Grade 992E 21 Jewel
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Hamilton Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Blue Hands & Dedicated Second Dial Gold Filled Case w/ No Design on Case ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches

20th Century Antique Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Collar Watch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Collar watch in 18 karat yellow gold, horse head hallmark. Lady's watch with manual winding. Dark red enamelled hands, light grey background and black enamelled Arabic numerals. Cent...
Category

Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lieutenant Colonel Owned Patek Philippe 1906 18ct Gold Pocket Watch
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this original 1906 Patek Philippe 18ct gold pocket watch with archive extract detailing the movement and origins of the piece which was retailed th...
Category

Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Gold

Vintage International Watch Company Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By IWC
Located in Stamford, CT
Original 1940's IWC open face manual wind solid 14k yellow gold pocket watch Length: 62mm Width: 51.75mm Case thickness: 10.75mm Dial: Gold Inside case: 585 14k IWC 1013226 149 Move...
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Vacheron & Constantin 14kt Gold Pocket Watch Retail Carl Ranch, 1918
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Vacheron & Constantin 14kt gold pocket watch retailed by Retailed BY CARL RANCH'S EFTF, KJΦBENHAVN (SIC) Made in Switzerland Circa 1918. Fully hallmarked 14KT Gold Ref NR: 23...
Category

1910s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Art Deco Lapel Watch Pin
Located in New York, NY
A chic Art Deco lapel watch pin by Van Cleef & Arpels. Circa 1920s.
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Henry Capt 18 Karat Gold Handmade 31 Jewel Quarter Repeating Watch, 1900s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Henry Danial Capt STYLE / REFERENCE: Quarter Repeater / Half Hunter METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1900's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 53mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 31 Jewels / High Grade / Lever Slide Repeat Mechanism DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel with Roman Numerals / Blued Steel WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT Henry-Daniel Capt was a Swiss watch maker working in the 1900th century. He was renowned for creating complicated...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches

Waltham Colonial Series Open Face 14 Karat Gold Pocket Watch 14s 19 Jewel
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Waltham Pocket Watch w/ Gold Color Dial Including Blue Hands & Dedicated Second Dial 14K Yellow Gold Case w/ No design...
Category

Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Hampden Yellow Gold Engraved Hunting Case Manual winding Pocket Wristwatch
Located in Dallas, TX
Hampden Yellow Gold Hunting Case Pocket Watch - Manual winding. Solid yellow gold case, beautifully engraved (45mm). Enamel dial with black Arabic numerals; seconds subdial at 6 o'...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Antique Bailey Banks & Biddle Platinum Pearl Diamond Watch Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Antique Art Deco platinum chain with pocket watch pendant by Bailey Banks & Biddle. Decorated with pearls, enamel (some chips/loss present) and...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum

14 Karat Yellow Gold Omega Grand Prix 1900 Pocket Watch
Located in Stamford, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold Omega Grand Prix 1900 Pocket Watch. Fine Working Condition. 14 karat round polished case, white dial marked with Roman numerals, minutes scale, "Omega" with logo, subsidiary seconds dial at 6. Case stamped with number "5189949 ", 14 karat gold hallmarks, and Omega logo; engraved "Omega Grand Prix Paris 1900...
Category

Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Platinum and Diamond Open Face Pocket Watch, Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-de-Fonds
Located in New York, NY
This vintage diamond open face pocket watch is rendered in platinum, weighs 62.11 grams and measures 44mm in diameter. Set within a diamond-set bezel and bow, the circular brushed an...
Category

1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Gruen VeriThin 14 Karat Yellow Gold Art Deco Pocket Watch, circa 1920s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced / Art Deco Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 46mm MO...
Category

1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

J.W. Benson Nickel Finished Nautical Desk Clock with 2 Enamel Dials from 1930s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W. Benson Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Nautical Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Finished CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSION...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Brass, Other

Elgin Open Face 14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Pocket Watch Gr 315 12s 15 Jewel
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Elgin Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Blue Hands & Dedicated Second Dial 14K Yellow Gold Case w/ No Design or etching...
Category

Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Dunhill 18kt Rose Gold Book Hand Made in France for Dunhill, circa 1930's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Dunhill & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Desk Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Rose Gold and Leather CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 28mm x Width 27mm MO...
Category

1930s British Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Enamel Dial Split Seconds Chronograph
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tiffany and Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Split Seconds Chronograph / Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18 Kt. Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: Diamet...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Cartier 18 Karat Solid Gold Desk Top Travel Watch with Onyx Buttons circa 1930s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Cartier / New York STYLE / REFERENCE: Travel Watch / Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm x Width 31mm MO...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Jaeger LeCoultre Seed Pearl Enamel Portrait Pendant Watch 18 Karat
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Enamel Portrait Pocket Watch measures 25mm in 18K yellow gold. Beautiful tiny Jaeger LeCoultre lady's pocket or necklace watch with enamel portrait of lady on back surrounded by natu...
Category

1920s Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Paul Ditisheim Montre Hamlet Silver Skull Pocket Watch
Located in Narberth, PA
Paul Ditisheim was a famous Swiss watchmaker, inventor and industrialist. Born in 1868 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the historic birthplace of the watch-making industry, he was born into the Ditisheim family, owners of Vulcain, a well-known and respected watch manufacturer who were also an integral part in leading the Swiss watch industry. Paul Ditisheim was instrumental in developing the new generation of chronometers and invented the affix balance. Thanks to his inventions, he was able to make the most precise chronometers ever made and has been considered the father of the modern chronometers. Ditisheim first based the design for his Hamlet skull watch...
Category

1920s Swiss Victorian Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

Antique 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Watch Chain with Heart Slide
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Lengthy sixty inch antique ladies fourteen carat 14K gold watch chain with heart slide and press clip closure. Rarely seen in this fine condition for a piece of this age. Pocket watc...
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

IWC Schaffhausen Yellow Gold Pocket Watch for Raymond Yard
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930 International Watch Company IWC Schaffhausen Pocket Watch Retailed by Raymond Yard, 44 M.M. Diameter and 8 M.M. thick 14K Yellow Gold case by Cress Arrow. 17 Jewel Mechani...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Art Deco Bulova Diamond Platinum Watch Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classy Art Deco watch pendant created by Bulova in the 1920s. Made of black onyx and platinum (tested), accented with single cut diamonds (total weight approximately 1.20 carats) Th...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Platinum, White Gold

Antique and Vintage Pocket Watches for Sale on 1stDibs

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.

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