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Pocket Watches For Sale
Antique Gold Flintlock Revolver Pocket Watch Key Pendant
Located in Rotterdam, NL
An antique 18 karat yellow gold flintlock revolver pocket watch key pendant from the past. This single-barrel gold flint pistol pocket watch key has a cur...
Category

Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Jaeger LeCoultre 1966 Pocket Watch
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Jaeger-LeCoultre, circa 1966 that has been revised. Alarm clock Brass case mother-of-pearl dial Mechanical movement with manual winding. Caliber K910 Dim: 44x44mm dated on the back O...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Art Nouveau 18k Gold Diamond Pocket Watch, Fob Watch, Escasany
Located in NEWARK, GB
A truly spectacular antique Art Nouveau era, 18kt gold and Rose cut diamond pocket watch or fob watch. A rich 18kt gold smooth polished ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Remontoir Cylindre 10 Rubis Woman's Swiss Pocket Watch 14 Carat Gold Diamonds
Located in Vienna, AT
Remontoir Cylindre 10 Rubis Woman's Pocket Watch with three lids. Made of 14 ct slight red gold, with eight diamonds (= 0,40 ct in total) decorating...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Art Nouveau Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold

Thomas Russell & Son Liverpool Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Full Hunter Kew, C1910s
Located in London, GB
A Thomas Russell & Son Liverpool heavy yellow gold keyless lever 55mm full hunter, Kew A Certified pocket watch, C1910s. Dial: The superb white enamel dial fully signed Thomas Russell & Son Liverpool with Kew A Adjusted in Red Writing, Black Roman Numerals and outer minute track with subsidiary seconds dial at six o'clock and original blued steel spade hands. Case: The 18ct Yellow Gold Full Hunter case with beautifully entwined monogram to the front cover and plain back cover. The inner cuvette is plain and the case is numbered and fully English hallmarked for Chester 1911. Movement: This very unusual, nickel finished highly jewelled movement with screwed in chatons and adjusted with Tourbillon style bridge, micro regulation, compensation balance and lever escapement. This watch passed the Kew A Observatory Chronometer certification officially recorded in the books of the National Physical Laboratory Kew. This is a very important watch...
Category

Early 20th Century English Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Verge Crown Wheel Key Winding 18K Yellow Gold Ornate Pocket Watch
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Verge Crown Wheel Key Winding 18K Yellow Gold Ornate Pocket Watch Approx. 48 mm in diameter, 18 mm thick Stamped SH JW with English Gold Hallmarks inside the case. Date mark of F with square box around it. 61.3 dwt / 95.4g The verge (or crown wheel) escapement is the earliest known type of mechanical escapement, the mechanism in a mechanical clock that controls its rate by allowing the gear train to advance at regular intervals or 'ticks'. Its origin is unknown. Verge escapements were used from the late 13th century until the mid 19th century in clocks and pocketwatches. The name verge comes from the Latin virga, meaning stick or rod.[1] Its invention is important in the history of technology, because it made possible the development of all-mechanical clocks. This caused a shift from measuring time by continuous processes, such as the flow of liquid in water clocks...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bonnet 18kt. Solid Gold Open Faced Pocket Watch with Engine Turned Dial 1850's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Bonnet STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1850 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 39mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Key W...
Category

1850s Swiss Antique Pocket Watches

Antique Victorian Gilded Age Tiffany & Co. 14 Karat Pendant Watch, 1880s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
ANTIQUE Victorian Gilded Age Tiffany & Co 14 Karat Pendant Watch 1880s. Weighing 10.3 gram 36 mm long 21 mm wide No chain, it hangs from a ribbon, see pictures Seller Notes: In g...
Category

1880s American Victorian Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Waltham 14K Tri Gold Ladies Pendant Pocket Watch
Located in Dallas, TX
Waltham 14K Tri Gold Ladies Pendant Pocket Watch - Manual winding. 14K Yellow Gold, Rose Gold and Green Gold ornate case (34 mm ). White dial with Roman nu...
Category

19th Century 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

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

Cartier 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 in an oriental style frame. The square...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

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

Vacheron Constantin Pocket Watch 900 Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Glass and hour hand are missing. Original case! Age-related condition. Including certificate of authenticity.
Category

20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

Patek Philippe Waltham Railroad 18K Yellow Gold Manual-Wind Pocket Watch
Located in Aventura, FL
Patek Phillipe 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Manual-wind movement, Guillaume balance, 18k yellow gold case, White enamel dial with black Breguet nume...
Category

1990s American Modernist Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique Kalo Shop 14K Gold American Arts & Crafts Pocket Watch Chain
By Kalo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American Arts & Crafts watch chain. By Kalo. In 14 karat gold with a matte finish. Marked Kalo & 14K to the reverse. Simply a wonderful Arts & Crafts piece from the important Chicago Kalo Shops! Date: circa 1900 Overall Condition: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition with some fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Maker: The Kalo Shops Marks: Marked to the back of the watch chain and fob...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Pocket Watches

Materials

14k 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

Illinois Watch Co. Currier Gold Filled Pocket Watch
Located in Dallas, TX
Illinois Watch Co. Currier Gold Filled Pocket Watch - Manual winding; Key wind, Key set. Gold filed ornate engraving ( 54 mm ). White dial with Roman...
Category

19th Century American Antique Pocket Watches

Chatelaine in Gold, Mid-19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Chatelaine with belt hook composed of three colors (green, pink, white) of intricately sculpted, matte gold. The piece is topped with a count's crown. This chatelaine was used to hang a pocket watch from the waist or jacket. It is made of two octagonal medallions. The largest, in the shape of a shield, in white, pink and green gold is decorated with shields, spears and helm. This Neogothic decor stands...
Category

1840s French Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold

Glashutte Hunter Prazisions uhren Fabrik Pocket Watch 18 kt Enamel Dial
Located in Antwerp, BE
Glashutte Hunter Prazisions uhren Fabrik Pocket Watch 18 kt Enamel Dial Extremelty Rare Collectors Watch ! Movement : Mechanical Manual Winding wit...
Category

20th Century German Artisan Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Enamel

South Bend Gold Filled Ladies Pendant Pocket Watch
Located in Dallas, TX
South Bend Gold Filled Ladies Pendant Pocket Watch - Manual winding. Gold filled; ornate engraving ( 35 mm ). White dial with Arabic numerals. Pre-owned wit...
Category

20th Century American Pocket Watches

Hamilton Brass Pocket Watch with Display Back
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Enjoy seeing the craftsmanship in this Hamilton 917 Brass Pocket Watch, expertly restored with a unique display back allowing the intricate parts of this ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

Brass

Chanel Première Ladies Wristwatch H3258 Yellow Gold Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Chanel Première Ladies Wristwatch Yellow Gold Diamonds Reference: H3258 Material: 18k Yellow Gold Movement: Quartz Measurements: 22 x 16 x 6,2 mm Dial: Black Bracelet: 18k Yellow Go...
Category

2010s French Contemporary Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Solid Gold Ladies Stewart Dawson &Co Antique Pocket Watch
Located in MELBOURNE, VIC
Elegant Stewart Dawson & Co 14 carat Solid Gold Open Face Ladies Pocket Watch . Late 19th - early 20th century, marked 14C to inner back cover and serial number #75128. Featuring a g...
Category

Early 20th Century Australian Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Swiss Open-Faced 18k Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch, by Martin & Marchinville
Located in London, GB
A Swiss Open-Faced 18k Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch, By Martin & Marchinville Circa. 1880 This is an exquisite rare antique enamelled wat...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Enamel

Antique French 18k Gold 3.25ctw Rose Cut Diamond Covered Pocket Watch Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely gorgeous, antique, French-made pocket watch pendant featuring a solid 18k rose gold case that's completely covered with old rose cut diamonds that are pave...
Category

1870s French Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Watch Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Watch Pendant Features 12 cabochon Rubies and diamonds surrounding the clock. Dimensions: approximately 1.5 x 1.5 inches
Category

1970s French Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold

Waltham Pocket Watch 10k Gold Fill Case Arabic Numeral Dial Case
Located in Surfside, FL
Waltham Vangaurd Pocket Watch in 10k gold filled case; 23 Jewel movement with rare 8-position adjustment. Railroad watch circa 1948 in Waltham gold-filled keystone case. Original untouched dial. Size 16. Fine Pre-owned Waltham Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Waltham...
Category

1940s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

10k Gold, Gold-filled

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

Elgin Multi Colored Box Hinged Gold Pocket Watch
Located in Dallas, TX
Elgin Multi Colored Box Hinged Gold Pocket Watch - Manual winding. Multi colored yellow gold case (48mm) with a stag on the back side . White dial with skinny Roman numerals; subdia...
Category

20th Century American Pocket Watches

Elgin 563174 Pocket Watch 14k Yellow Gold White Dial Case Manual
Located in Surfside, FL
Ladies Elgin multi color gold hunter case pocket watch "6 size" in 14k. 15 jewels. Elaborate floral design case. Manual wind. Circa 1890s. Fine Pre-owned Elgin Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Elgin...
Category

1980s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Rockford Pocket Watch 7125385 Gold Fill White Dial Manual
Located in Surfside, FL
Rockford hunter case pocket watch 11 jewels, porcelain dial and spade hands in gold filled case. Dust cover back features lovely flower design. Front features same gorgeous design with a monogram. Manual with sub-seconds.41 mm. Circa 1880's. Fine Pre-owned Rockford Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Rockford pocket watch...
Category

1880s Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Ladies Omega 12kt Gold Filled Watch Working 15 Jewel Fully Serviced Warranty
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Beautiful 12kt white gold vintage ladies' Omega watch with a 16mm x 20mm x 8mm case. The face of the watch is silver, the band has a 26mm clasp, 2.25 inches on one side and 2 inches ...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, White Gold, Silver

Chanel Boy-Friend Tweed Ladies Wristwatch H4881 Rose Gold Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Chanel Boy-Friend Tweed Ladies Wristwatch Rose Gold Diamonds Reference: H4881 Material: 18k Rose Gold Movement: Quartz Measurements: 27,9 x 21,5 x 6,2mm Dial: White Bracelet: 18k Ro...
Category

2010s French Contemporary Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

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

Rockford Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch from 1886
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rockford Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1886 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 55mm MOVEMENT / CALIBE...
Category

1880s Swiss Early Victorian Antique Pocket Watches

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

Chanel Boy-Friend Ladies Wristwatch H6591 Rose Gold Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Chanel Boy-Friend Ladies Wristwatch Rose Gold Diamonds Reference: H6591 Material: 18k Rose Gold Movement: Quartz Measurements: 34,6 x 26,7 x 7,3 mm Dial: White Bracelet: Leather wit...
Category

2010s French Contemporary Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Rose 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

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Watch
Located in Cape Town, ZA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Watch - Automatic in Very Good condition. Model Number: 115 200 & Serial Number: M278262 Year: 2007 -2008 Sta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pocket Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vulcain 18kt Rose Gold Full Hunter Minute Repeating Automaton Pocket Watch C1880
Located in London, GB
Vulcain 58mm 18Kt Rose Gold Full Hunter Minute Repeating Automaton Pocket Watch C1880 Case: The Swiss hallmarked highley hand engraved case wit...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Pocket Watches

Ladies Rado Diastar Swiss Watch Round Case Scratch Resistant Fully Serviced
By RADO
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Ladies Rado Diastar Swiss watch with a 23mm round case that's scratch-resistant and water sealed. The case is made out of stainless steel with a black fac...
Category

1990s Swiss Modern Pocket Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rockford Pocket Watch 14k Yellow Gold White Porcelain Dial Case Manual
Located in Surfside, FL
Ladies Rockford Hunter Case pocket watch, 17 jewels enamel dial and spade and whip hands in 14k yellow gold. Keystone case with a beautiful sunburst design. Manual with sub-seconds. 33mm. Circa 1913. Fine Pre-owned Rockford Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Rockford pocket watch...
Category

1910s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Bourquin Geneve Sterling Silver Enamel Dial Verge Fusee Small Pocket Watch, 1840
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Bourguin Geneve STYLE / REFERENCE: Pendant Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Silver DIMENSIONS: Diameter 32mm CIRCA: 1840's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Verge Fuzee DIAL / ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Pocket Watches

9ct Gold Victorian Watch Chain Section
Located in London, GB
9ct Gold Victorian display Chain section These were used to display medals ,coins , but are now a very decadent item of jewellery that can be worn e...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold

Waltham Hunter Case Pocket Watch Ref. 1, 472009 in 14k Yellow Gold, White Dial
Located in Surfside, FL
Waltham Hunter Case Pocket watch in 14k. Manual w/ subseconds. 53.3 mm case size. Ref 1,472009. Fine Pre-owned Waltham Watch. Certified preowned Vint...
Category

20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

F. Rotig Havre, a Rare Gold Open Face Keyless Quarter Repeating Calendar with Co
Located in London, GB
F.Rotig Havre 18Kt Rose Gold and Enamel Keyless Quarter Repeating Calendar Open face 50mm Pocket watch with Compass and Thermometer C1880. ...
Category

18th Century French Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Omega De Ville Trésor Ladies Wristwatch 428.55.36.60.99.002 Yellow Gold Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Omega De Ville Trésor Ladies Wristwatch Yellow Gold Diamonds (Boutique Only Watch!) Reference: 428.55.36.60.99.002 Material: 18k Yellow Gold Mov...
Category

2010s Swiss Contemporary Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Waltham Pocket Watch 14k Yellow, Rose and Green Gold White Dial Case Manual
Located in Surfside, FL
Waltham hunter case pocket watch in 14k yellow, rose and green gold. Decorative high relief pink and yellow floral embellishments on both sides of the c...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, Gold

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

14 Karat Gold Pocket Watch 'Removable Pendant'
Located in Coral Gables, FL
14 Karat Yellow Gold Vega Pocket Watch With Manual Wind Movement. Spring-loaded Hinge Allows For Watch To Pop Up When Opened. The Watch Runs & Keeps Accurate Time. Removable Bale All...
Category

1960s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

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

18 Karat Gold, Tiffany & Co Enamelled Pendant Watch on Chain
Located in Brisbane City, 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

Massive Full Hunter Yellow Gold Keywind Fusee Railway Timepiece Pocket Watch
Located in London, GB
A Massive 55mm Full Hunter 18kt Yellow Gold Keywind Fusee Railway Timepiece of Historical interest. Case: The front cover is beautifully engraved with a railroad locomotive with coal store and carriage attached. The rear cover has a belt and buckle motive which goes around the case. The edge of the case is engraved with flowers. The inner case has a presentation engraving to James C Robinson Springfield Illinois...
Category

18th Century British Antique Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Longines Platinum Art Deco Pocket Watch
Located in Dallas, TX
Longines Platinum Art Deco Pocket Watch - Manual winding. Platinum case sat with scalloped Sapphires ( 43 mm ); Inscription on caseback. Silver d...
Category

20th Century Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Audemars Piquet Swiss Platinum Display Back Pocket Watch for Tiffany & Co
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Sleek, late twentieth century platinum pocket watch by Audemars Piquet Swiss for Tiffany & Co. with special order glass display back to view its intric...
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Platinum

Antique Longines Pocket Watch 14 Karat Gold Arabic Enamel Dial, Hunter
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique, heavy Longines Pocket Watch 14 Karat Gold Arabic Enamel Dial. Pocket watch can be wound and works. Small hairline crack at five o'clock...
Category

20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Glashütte Uhrenfabrik Union Silver Pocket Watch, Case by Dürrstein & Co.
Located in Berlin, DE
Case by Dürrstein & Co. Case number and movement number are not identical. Glass damaged. Watch can be wound and works. Accuracy not tested.
Category

20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

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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