what do you guys know about pocket watches?

jonathan_matos5 · #1 08-01-2011, 01:35 PM

i want to get a pocket watch, so i can class things up a bit. ive been playing trombone in a brass quintet and in the college band/orchestra and figured that my crummy old Timex wrist watch doesn't quite fit in with the formal clothes, and Baroque music.

i kinda know what i am looking for but i would prefer a time piece worth keeping. what i would like is mechanical or swiss movement and relatively shiny with skeleton casing. (see all the moving bits) my price range is ~$380

what i don't know are the brands or what is reliable.

what do you fine bass playing people know? perhaps i should ask the DB side.

**baba** · #2 08-01-2011, 01:43 PM

I only know mine looks just like a Blackberry.

MatticusMania · #3 08-01-2011, 01:44 PM

They attach to a belt loop and have a special pocket all there own, that most people use for change. Or condoms.

Topspin · #4 08-01-2011, 01:48 PM

My brother got a very nice vintage one off evilbay for $40. Always a decent option.

jonathan_matos5 · #5 08-01-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

They attach to a belt loop and have a special pocket all there own, that most people use for change. Or condoms.

that pocket is for a watch?

that explains why they put it on girls pants too.

fenderhutz · #6 08-01-2011, 01:49 PM

You have to get the hipster hat to go along with it.

PSPookie · #7 08-01-2011, 01:55 PM

Pay attention to the movement. Your best bet is to stick with a Japanese (Seiko or Miyota) or Swiss (ETA) movement. These will be bulletproof and last long enough to give to your grand children.

Watches with Chinese movements will cost less . . . and have Chinese movements . . . Have you ever heard anyone brag about their fancy Chinese watch?

As it turns out, most of the watches in the world are made by only a handful of manufacturers (Swatch Group, Citizen Group, Seiko, et. al.) so find a design you like and make sure it has good guts.

jonathan_matos5 · #8 08-01-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Pay attention to the movement. Your best bet is to stick with a Japanese (Seiko or Miyota) or Swiss (ETA) movement. These will be bulletproof and last long enough to give to your grand children.

Watches with Chinese movements will cost less . . . and have Chinese movements . . . Have you ever heard anyone brag about their fancy Chinese watch?

As it turns out, most of the watches in the world are made by only a handful of manufacturers (Swatch Group, Citizen Group, Seiko, et. al.) so find a design you like and make sure it has good guts.

if only it were so simple. the movements may be made by the same companies but i am finding that the actual branded names for pocket watches are very much different. if i were looking for a wrist watch i know exactly where and what. but the pocket watches seem to be by companies that are owned in england manufactured anywhere in the world and the name of the company tries to sound french.

Phalex · #9 08-01-2011, 03:05 PM

IMO, it's the chain that's important. No one sees the watch, (I think they make them in digital even) , but the chain is jewelry.

T-Bird · #10 08-01-2011, 03:46 PM

Hi.

I have a few oldies (100yr give or take) in the works... indefinitely it seems

.

About the only thing to keep in mind is that even though the name suggests so, YOU DON'T KEEP 'EM IN YOUR POCKET, unless it's a specially lined pocket, preferably with a flap to keep the dust out.

Otherwise You can pretty much kiss the accuracy goodbye.

Russian (or USSR) vintage ones are bulletproof and sometimes really cheap and well made if Your budget is limited.

Regards
Sam

jonathan_matos5 · #11 08-01-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

I have a few oldies (100yr give or take) in the works... indefinitely it seems

.

About the only thing to keep in mind is that even though the name suggests so, YOU DON'T KEEP 'EM IN YOUR POCKET, unless it's a specially lined pocket, preferably with a flap to keep the dust out.

Otherwise You can pretty much kiss the accuracy goodbye.

Russian (or USSR) vintage ones are bulletproof and sometimes really cheap and well made if Your budget is limited.

Regards
Sam

for accuracy i have a cell phone. or sometimes an old timex digital. as long as it isn't more than 3 minutes off over the course of a day im good. also i don't think dust is much of a problem when i will be wearing it.

Subrage · #12 08-01-2011, 04:23 PM

Late 19th early 20 century American pocket watch's are phenominal. Build fantasticly and are beautifuly decorated, even the lower grade ones are very nicely decorated.

Look at Elgin's, Hamiltons, Walthem

Datsgor · #13 08-01-2011, 04:45 PM

They are a watch specifically made to slip into a pocket. Pants, vest, whatever. You pull them out and flip open the cover to see what time it is. Usually they are attached to a chain so you don't drop them. ( a great idea if you are at an event and need to see what time it is while using a porta potty ) But, they are classy and I like them. I have a couple, but don't use them. Like a poster above said...they mostly resemble cell phones these days. Not a lot of chains either.

anonymous122511 · #14 08-01-2011, 04:48 PM

If you need a pocket watch to be rugged and waterproof the discontinued Vitorinox Swiss Army pocket watch is the only one I could find to fit the bill. It sounds like this it isn't much of an issue here and only bring this up as a side point having recently looked for an "outdoorsy" pocket watch that would tolerate full immersion.

In a new watch not only couldn't I find anything waterproof I couldn't find anything of decent quality compared to what's available for the same price in a pre-40's watch.

iamlowsound · #15 08-01-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subrage

Late 19th early 20 century American pocket watch's are phenominal. Build fantasticly and are beautifuly decorated, even the lower grade ones are very nicely decorated.

Look at Elgin's, Hamiltons, Walthem

This. Hamilton's are a favorite of mine, but can get pricy as they have a legacy of making watches for the first world war (maybe the second as well). You could always find one that isn't working and have someone restore it. www.archerwatches.ca does amazing work.

lowsound

Ziltoid · #16 08-01-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subrage

Late 19th early 20 century American pocket watch's are phenominal. Build fantasticly and are beautifuly decorated, even the lower grade ones are very nicely decorated.

Look at Elgin's, Hamiltons, Walthem

First thing that came to my mind:

On topic as it's not a pocket watch, the only thing I know about them is that I have one given by my grand-pa on my 14th birthday, some family tradition, every boy gets a pocket watch from them at 14.

Radical Edward · #17 08-01-2011, 07:56 PM

I have 5 here. All broken except the one that was purchased a few months ago.. wait.. I don't know where that one is.. Well, either way.. Pocket watches are sexy and classy. So classy, they make Sinatra look like a hobo.

T-Bird · #18 08-01-2011, 10:00 PM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

for accuracy i have a cell phone. or sometimes an old timex digital. as long as it isn't more than 3 minutes off over the course of a day im good. also i don't think dust is much of a problem when i will be wearing it.

With a dirty/dusty one it'll be a lot more than 3 minutes.

If You wear it only on special occasions, then the dust buildup isn't all that severe, but if it's for everyday use, well, Your local watch smith will be a regular guy to visit

.

We are talking about real mechanical pocket watches and chronographs here, right?

Regards
Sam

jonathan_matos5 · #19 08-01-2011, 10:11 PM

special occasions indeed. one to two a month tops. maybe a trip to the symphony or opera but for the most part the watch will be displayed on the nightstand. and i would prefer mechanical to quartz im not a fan of having to buy batteries for time pieces.