Antique Pocket Watchs and
Vintage Pocket Watches
Up until the last part of the 17th century there were no truly personal, portable timepieces. However, with the development of the balance spring, or hairspring, watches that could count minutes as well as hours became feasible. Plain and sturdy English watches were the norm. Pocket watches were not even produced in the United States until 1809, and broader manufacturing did not happen until the 1850s.
Cases were designed to protect pocket watch movements, but were often very ornamental as well. Some early pocket watches had two cases, which gave more protection to the movements. These were called pair-cases watches. Enameled watch cases were produced in Switzerland and were especially popular in the late 18th century. Novelty watches became fashionable in the 19th century and brought together the art of the jeweler and the craftsmanship of the watchmaker. More affordable, and more common, were open-face watches, with no cover over the glass, made of gold or silver.
Prior to the Civil War, most watches were wound with a key. In the 1860s keyless winding became more common. From the mid-nineteenth century until the 1950s, the Chicago and Boston areas were centers for the mass production of American mass-produced watches.
Railroad watches developed as a result of a series of terrible railroad accidents. Engineers and conductors required highly accurate timepieces. At the same time, they had to be inexpensive enough for engineers and conductors. The railroad watch was the result, what has been called "an affordable triumph of accuracy." By the late 19th century railroad watches had become popular with the general public, their accuracy being a key selling point. Waltham and Elgin were among the biggest and best manufacturers.
If you'd like to see appraisals of old pocket watches on Antiques Roadshow, click here.
If you'd like to see appraisals of old pocket watches on Antiques Roadshow, click here.
LOT VINTAGE POCKET WATCH WEST END WATCH CO HAMILTON
$169.99 
Time Left: 2h 7m |
| MOLNIJA Russian vintage slim pocket watch 15jew. 1940's
$27.00 (3 Bids) Time Left: 13h 2m |
| ISKRA 'Spark' Russian vintage slim pocket watch. 17j
$24.00 (1 Bids) Time Left: 13h 6m |
| Mens Vintage Mini Pocket Swiss Travel Alarm Clock Watch
$28.47 (8 Bids) Time Left: 1d 2h 18m |
| ELGIN ART DECO CHASED 15J VINTAGE '31 MENS POCKET WATCH
$51.00 (7 Bids) Time Left: 1d 11h 41m |
| Vintage Southbend Size 12 Pocket Watch - 429!
$79.99 (1 Bids) Time Left: 1d 20h |
| Vintage Gotham Ollendorf Pocket Watch!
$49.99 (0 Bids) Time Left: 1d 20h |
| Rare Vintage Abra Pocket Watch!
$59.99 (0 Bids) Time Left: 1d 20h |
| Vintage 1901 Waltham Size 16 Pocket Watch!
$49.99 (0 Bids) Time Left: 1d 20h 1m |
| Vintage 1926 Elgin Size 16 Pocket Watch!
$59.99 (0 Bids) Time Left: 1d 20h 1m |
| Vintage Compu Chron Pocket Watch Style Watch Red LED
$19.99 (0 Bids) Time Left: 1d 22h 1m |
| Vintage Invicta Chronograph Repeater Gold Pocket Watch
$3,450.00
Time Left: 2d 9h 28m |
| Vintage Elgin DeLuxe Pocket Watch Case & Box
$9.99 (1 Bids) Time Left: 2d 20h 21m |
| Antique Vintage Waltham Pocket Watch Movement
$9.99 (0 Bids) Time Left: 2d 22h 22m |
| Antique Vintage Perfection USA Pocket Watch Movement
$9.99 (0 Bids) Time Left: 2d 22h 28m |
| VINTAGE COLUDON GENEVE POCKET WATCH MOVEMENT FOR PARTS
$9.99 (1 Bids) Time Left: 2d 23h 10m |
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