Old Pocket Watches
Looking to buy or begin collecting old and vintage pocket watches? Then this is the place. Here you will find articles and information on all types of old and new pocket watches. First a little history…
In the 16th century the first pocket watches began to appear although they bore little resemblance to the classic antique pocket watches which were to follow. They quickly became a status symbol with the rich as they were the only people that could afford them. The early watches were made from steel it was only later when metalworkers dominated the trade that watches were made from silver, gold and brass.
It was Peter Henlein, a German locksmith, who was generally credited with inventing the coil spring clock in around 1510. The use of the coil spring to move a hour hand around a clock face was not without it limitations. These early timepieces were notoriously inaccurate, the tightly coiled spring slowed on unwinding slowing the clock down. They usually possessed only the hour hand, the minute hand was a later development. Finally it was noticed that when the spring was not wound tightly it uncoiled more consistently and in 1675 the coil spring was fixed to the balance vastly increasing accuracy.
Now watches were accurate to within minutes which heralded the addition of the minute hand. It would be another century or so before the second hand was added. At this time there was increasing interest in pocket watches as day, date, chimes and even music were added to their features.
Early pocket watches had no cover to protect their faces and hands but in the 1700’s hand crafted silver and gold cases began to appear. The watch and case were usually marked by the maker, non matching items would indicate that the case either the watch or case had been changed. It was around this time too that jewels were used as bearings to make the watch run more smoothly.
Collectors of antique watches today will find it difficult, and expensive, to find watches dated before 1700. They exist but usually in national collections however there are many examples of antique watches before 1865 and these are much sort after.
The growing reach of the internet has increased the demand for antique silver pocket watches particularly American examples. Railroad watches are much sought after. In 1891, a train engineer’s watch stopped for four minutes causing a train to crash and nine mishaps in Kipton, Ohio. It was important to create new standards for pocket watches to improve safety on all railroads.
These included having not less than 15 jewels; accuracy to within 30 seconds a week; white face with black Arabic numbers each minute outlined; adjustment to five positions and temperature neutralized. Engineers’ watches needed to be inspected regularly and their owners had to show a certificate proving their reliability. These watches were not produced in huge numbers and their quality and accuracy far exceeded their more commercial cousins.
A good reference guide to check the manufacturer’s serial number will be of great assistance in evaluating the age of an antique pocket watch. American watches have the serial number marked on the movement inside the watch. English antique silver pocket watches feature hallmarks as do gold watches, this will help establish the date of manufacture. Antique pocket watches from Europe are more difficult as they often omit serial numbers and other identification marks. Another problem to look out for is that the name on the watch face may not be the manufacturer. Often manufacturers marked the name of a company on the dial.
Antique silver pocket watches are a wonder of mechanical engineering and as such need to be well maintained, this can be difficult as parts are not easily available and may need to be specially manufactures. Remember that when these watches were new they may have been cleaned and oiled every eighteen months or so.
Finally watch out for imitations. The Antique silver pocket watches, railroad pocket watches and gold pocket watches market will see many forgeries. Sometimes these are hard to spot so be warned. Try to validate the seller, look for his knowledge of the history of the watch, maybe there are maintenance receipts, repair work and so on which will help establish its authenticity.
The exclusive beauty and craftsmanship, as well as the fascinating history of antique pocket watches make them perfect for collectors.
Now take a look at the making of a legend…
See what others have to say about collecting old pocket watches…
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