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Pocket Watches For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1940s
Exceptionnal Tavannes for Hermès Vintage Belt Buckle Golf Watch in Silver RARE
Located in FR
This is a rare opportunity to get an authentic Tavannes Golf Watch Made for Hermès IN WORKING CONDITION Unusual, fine, this is a true gem for Golf Lovers Created for golfers, des...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Gubelin Lucerne Art Deco Stone and Bronze Table Clock, circa 1930s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: E. Gubelin Lucerne STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Egg Shaped METAL / MATERIAL: Stone and Bronze CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: L...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Æs Hanhart German Chromed Stopwatch. Seven Lever Shockproof. c1960's.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Circa 1960Æs Hanhart German chromed stopwatch with seven lever shockproof & 55mm Case Anti-magnetic Water-protected Self-compensating
Category

1960s German Vintage Pocket Watches

14K Multi Color Gold Waltham Diamond Pocket Watch
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Waltham 14k Multi Color Gold Diamonds Pocket Watch with a 2mm Round Shape Diamond mounted on the Case. Weighs 61 grams and Measures 1.75 inches.
Category

Mid-20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

14K Gold 1910 Waltham Pocket Watch
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
15 Jewels Weighs 36 Grams And Measures 1.3
Category

Mid-20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

14K Gold American Waltham Pocket Watch
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
weighs 47.80 Grams And Measures 1.6
Category

Mid-20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Elgin WWII US Military Ordinance Bombardier's Stop Watch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Own a timepiece of history with this rare find military stop watch designed exclusively for timing a bomb drop. United States Army Air Force Ordinance World...
Category

1940s American Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Other

Vintage Bucherer Oval Manual Watch Yellow Gold Plated
Located in London, GB
Vintage Bucherer Oval Manual Watch Yellow Gold Plated Vintage Bucherer oval manual watch in Yellow Gold plated come on a 30" overall length of Yellow Gold plated chain In full workin...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, Gold Plate

Vintage Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch Size 16
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Hamilton pocket watch, gold-filled hunting case. 25 year guaranteed stamped inside case. Size 16, 17 jewels, 3/4 plate. The time is lever set. Very clean movement. The serial number ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch with Original Dial, circa 1940s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 45mm MOVEMENT / ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Patek Philippe Art Deco period 18kt. yellow gold open-face pocket watch
Located in Braintree, GB
Patek Philippe Art Deco period 18kt. yellow gold open-face pocket watch. Made in Switzerland, Circa 1930's Details: Case diameter: 42 mm Case shape: Round Movement: Manual wind,...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Cuervo & Sobrinos Silver Niello and Gold Art Deco Open Faced Pocket Watch 1940's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines for Cuervo & Sobrinos STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch / Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Silver / Rose Gold and Niello Inlayed CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DI...
Category

1940s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Vacheron Constantin 18K Gold Pocket Watch With Blue Enamel and Old Euro Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
The following is a custom-made Vacheron and Constantin pocket watch pendant adorned with blue enamel and a 0.50ct G-H VS old European cut diamond. Item Details: - Brand: Vacheron Constantin - Retailer: Bailey Banks and Biddle - Commissioned For Emory S. Land - Type: Pocket Watch with Chain...
Category

1940s Swiss Retro Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Waltham Open Faced American Pocket Watch with Period Watch Chain from 1934
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1934 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 15mm MOVEMENT /...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Art Deco Vacheron Constantin Geneve Platinum Pocket Watch With Old Cut Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Vacheron Constantin Manual Wind Art Deco Era Platinum Pocket Watch With Old European Cut Diamonds. Fixed with old-cut diamond-encrusted bail, hour markers, hands, and bezel. Hand-win...
Category

1950s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

UTI Watch Caged Birds Brooch in 18 Carat Gold circa 1950 Ruby Sapphire Diamonds
Located in Paris, FR
UTI Watch caged Birds Brooch in yellow Gold 18 Carat circa 1950. One Bird with a Body composed of a Sapphire and a Head composed of a Diamond, the other Bird with a Body composed of ...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

1950s Gold Pendant Watch Brooch with Rubies
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Adorable and an unusual example right out of the 1950's, this 14 Karat Rose and Yellow Gold Pendant Watch Brooch with Ruby Accents is in mint condit...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Travel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Travel Clock by Van Cleef and Arpels. This 18k yellow gold travel clock with a sapphire button. The clock measures to be 1 1/2inches X 1 3/4 inches ...
Category

1960s American Artist Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Gold Plated Kurz Armin Pendant Watch, Original Box, Very Good Working Condition
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Beautiful gold plated Kurz watch pendant with original box. The 30mm watch case (11mm thick) has a lovely black and gold scroll design. On the backside of the watch, there's an image of a man playing the guitar for ladies. Overall, the condition of the case and Swiss 17-jewel movement are very good; the movement works well (see video of movement running). The snake-weave style chain is 30 inches long and secured with a spring-ring clasp. This watch was made in Zurich, Switzerland by a fine jeweler Armin Kurz...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Hamilton Pocket Watch 18k Yellow Gold Wristwatch Ref R3163
Located in Surfside, FL
Hamilton pocket watch in 14k yellow gold - model 923 manual wind movement with 23 jewels. The best of the best made in America. Arabic numerals w...
Category

1950s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Hamilton Co. Railway Special Pocket Watch 1957
Located in Towson, MD
One 10 karat yellow gold filled 16 size Hamilton Watch Co. Hamilton Railway Special open face pocket watch. The movement is manual wide, leve...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Retro Pocket Watches

Materials

10k Gold, Gold-filled

Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Platinum Gents Pocket Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930 Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Retailed by Tiffany & company, 43 M.M. Platinum 3 Piece case, 18 Jewel Manual wind Nickle lever movement. Silver Sa...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Platinum

Patek Philippe Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Pocket Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930s Art Deco Patek Philippe Pocket watch, 41 M.M. 3 piece Platinum Case, 18 Jewel mechanical, manual wind Nickle Lever movement. Silver Satin dial with Diamond set Roman Nume...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Wartime Era Hamilton Railroad Grade US Military Steel Pocket Watch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Desirable collectable, Hamilton Model 4992B, GCT US WWII Military Pocket Watch. This interesting timepiece has an added display back to view the 22 jewel movement with adjusted six position in motion. As military issue, circa 1942, this American made watch by Hamilton Watch Co...
Category

1940s American Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Steel

Movado 1948 Calendermeto Triple Date and Moonphase Travel Purse Clock & Leather
Located in Miami, FL
Rare calendermeto travel clock designed by Movado. Beautiful and very rare calendermeto travel purse clock, created in Switzerland by the Movado Clock Factories, back in the 1948-1954. Crafted in stainless steel and leather with the purpose to use in desks, travels, in the pocket or a purse. Patented Ermeto winding device by means of the sliding case, with all original parts. The Movado Ermeto...
Category

1940s Swiss Modernist Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Exceptionnal Tavannes for Hermès Vintage Belt Buckle Golf Watch in Silver RARE
Located in FR
This is a rare opportunity to get an authentic Tavannes Golf Watch Made for Hermès IN WORKING CONDITION Unusual, fine, this is a true gem for Golf Lovers...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rare Vintage Ebel Gold Plated Pocket Watch
By Ebel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare Vintage Ebel Gold Plated Pocket watch Material: Gold Plated Case: Diameter 36.4 mm x Thickness 9.5 mm, gold plated Dial: Goldish dial...
Category

1950s Artisan Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Mauboussin Paris 1950 Mido Skeleton Round Watch pendant Stainless 18kt And Onyx
Located in Miami, FL
A round skeleton watch pendant designed by Mauboussin. Very nice retro piece, made in Paris France by the jewelry house of Mauboussin during the mid-century period, back in the 1950...
Category

1950s French Retro Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold, Copper, Steel, Stainless Steel

Vacheron Constantin 18 Karat Yellow Gold Open-Face Dress Pocket Watch
Located in Braintree, GB
Vacheron Constantin 18kt. yellow gold open-face dress pocket watch with brushed gold finish. The watch is extra thin. Made in Switzerland, Circa 1960's Signed: Case, dial & movement...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vintage Hermes Travel Watch C.1960s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A rare time piece by Hermes, a vintage travel watch. The watch set ina red leather case equipped with a slide opening mechanism. ​The face is square shape, with a white dial and gold alpha shaped hands. Gold Arabic numerals alternate with gold sticks topped with the white dots. The case’s back is rib textured metal, with a few engraved initial letters and a date “17/3/66.” This vintage Hermes...
Category

1960s French Vintage Pocket Watches

14k Yellow Gold Envelope Pocket Watch by Kior! Great Vintage Piece!
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
14k Yellow Gold Envelope Pocket Watch by Kior! Great Vintage Piece! Gorgeous Vintage Pocket Watch Features Small Movement/Dial Set in Foldable Envelope 14k Yellow Gold Case Dimensio...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold E.Gubelin Oversize Open Face Pocketwatch
Located in New York, NY
18K yellow gold E.Gubelin oversize 1930's 24 hour pocketwatch is a very fine, thin open face pocketwatch. The 56mm case features a champagne dial and outer app...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Vintage Tiffany & Co. Pocket Watch Pendant Platinum Diamond Estate Jewelry
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A rare vintage Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Revival pocket watch made in platinum and accentuated with round transitional cut diamonds. This classic Art Deco style Tiffany watch can be worn as a pendant. The proportions of the face and the square shape case are perfectly balanced. Alternated polished and matte finish platinum steps decorate both sides of the case. The face’s perimeter is adorned with the round cut and baguette cut diamonds. The dial has onyx round hour markers and equipped with the sword style hands. The movement is mechanical, manual-wind. The vintage pocket watch pendant is made of platinum and set with round transitional cut diamonds (H-I color, VS clarity, total weight approximately 0.80 carat). The vintage Tiffany pendant...
Category

1950s French Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Movado Türler , Slide / Travel Watch-Clock, Purse Watch, with stand
Located in Antwerp, BE
Turler Movado, Slide Travel Watch-Clock, Purse Watch, with stand. This one is smaller then usual and extremely rare and collectible. Measurement: 40.5mm closed, 61mm open x 26.3mm x 12.9mm Total weight: 40.7 gram / 1.440 oz / 26.2 dwt The winding covers work and wind the watch as they are opened and closed. These vintage Movado watches...
Category

1940s Swiss Artisan Vintage Pocket Watches

Mens Vintage Alpha Watch, 17 Jewel Automatic, Fully Serviced Swiss
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Gorgeous Men's Alpha Watch has a 17 jewel movement and is automatic. This had just been fully cleaned and overhauled and comes with a 90-day warranty. The ...
Category

1960s Swiss Modern Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

9 Carat Solid Gold Open Faced Pocket Watch by Garrard
Located in London, GB
A handsome 9 Carat Solid Gold Open Faced Pocket Watch, retailed By Garrards, The Jewellers, London. The movement is by Burne Watch Company, Switzerland with Birmingham Hallmark...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold

Elgin 14k Gold Pocket Watch/Pendant
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Get your hands on this ultra-rare piece of Elgin history! Have you every seen something this sophisticated and beautiful? This is featured in a white and brilliant gold with a black ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Tissot Steel Round Art Deco Pocket Watch with Original Dial from 1930's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tissot Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SI...
Category

1940s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Ladies 18kt Yellow Gold Mathey-Tissot Watch, #3560625, Manual
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Beautiful ladies 18kt yellow gold Mathey-Tissot watch with a 25mm case (7mm thick), gold face with black Roman numerals, manual wind, and Swiss-made (note: the case is 18kt yellow go...
Category

1960s Modern Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels 1940s Gold Travel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels gold travel clock, circa 1940s 18 karat yellow gold; marked Van Cleef & Arpels Dimensions: length 3.3 cm, width 1.9 cm, depth 0....
Category

1940s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gubelin 14Kt. Multi Colored Art Deco Ladies Pendant Watch circa 1930's by Movado
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Movado for Gubelin STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Pendant Watch Referenc 42143 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Three Colored Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZ...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Pocket Watches

Tiffany & Co Movado Gold Pocket Watch
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. 14 karat yellow gold pocket watch, with Movado movement. Made in Switzerland. Serial no. 550273. Marked: Tiffany & Co. / Swiss made / 1...
Category

1940s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Juvenia New Old Stock Leather Bound "Book Clock" for a Desk 1930's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Eterna Watch and Clock Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Leather and Gilt CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIO...
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage 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

FLATO Platinum and Diamond Travel Watch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This unusual watch clock was created by Paul Flato in New York in the 1930s. Paul Flato was famous for his whimsical imaginative designs. In the 1930's, he counted both socialite...
Category

1930s American Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

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

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

1940s Vintage 1.50 Carat Diamond and Platinum Ladies Cocktail Fob Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage Art Deco 1.50 carat diamond and platinum cocktail fob watch by 'Helvetia'; part of our diverse diamond jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive diamond Art Deco fob watch has been crafted in platinum. The articulated Art Deco design frame is embellished with a total of ninety-six pavé and bezel set eight-cut diamonds. The circular white watch face is adorned with the Roman numerals 3, 6, 9 and twelve, with tapering hour markers between, all in yellow gold. The watch has a black minute and hour hand, and the maker's name 'HELVETIA'. The manual wind movement is signed 'OMEGA WATCH Co, SEVENTEEN JEWELS, SWISS'. The diamond fob watch secures with a hinged pin and fastening to the upper border, and has a ring loop for which a safety chain may be attached. This antique ladies diamond watch...
Category

1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

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

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

Movado Pocket Watch Vermeil 'Gold over 0.935 Silver' Manual
Located in Surfside, FL
"Baby Ermetto" Movado watch in vermeil (gold over 0.935 silver). Circa 1950. Manual. Fine Pre-owned Movado Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Movado pocket watch...
Category

1950s Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Vermeil, 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

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

Girard Perregaux Solid Gold Art Deco Style Lapel Watch, circa 1950s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Girard Perregaux STYLE / REFERENCE: Ladies Lapel Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA: 1950's DIMENSIONS: Length 48mm X Diameter 42mm MOVEMENT / CAL...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco 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

Paul Flato Petite Midcentury 14K Yellow Gold Seashell Pocket Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Flato midcentury 14K yellow gold seashell pocket watch. Case opens compact-style to reveal hidden watch. Brushed gold dial, manual movement. The shell is a petite 1.25". Very ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, 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

1940s 2.04 Carat Diamond and Platinum Ladies Fob Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage Art Deco 2.04 carat diamond and platinum ladies fob watch brooch; part of our diverse vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collection...
Category

1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

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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