A Pocket Watch for Style

As opposed to wristwatches, pocket watches are meant to be placed on coat or trousers pockets. They come with a chain that attaches it to a belt loop or waistcoat. In contrast to the digital displays in most of our modern watches, pocket watches favors the traditional analog display.

Pocket watches that are secured by chains are often decorated on those chains with ornaments. These chains are also called fobs. Unlike the wristwatch, pocket watches have hinged covers that stayed closed until and unless you open it to look at the time. The cover keeps the pocket watch from damage and scratches. They often have fasteners that goes through a buttonhole to secure them well. This puts us in mind of train conductors.

Pocket watches have been around for a long time. The earliest mention of a pocket watches ever documented was in 1462 through a letter by Batholomew Manfredi, an Italian clocksmith, written to the Marchese di Manta. The letter was an offer to make the Marchese a pocket clock that was better than the one owned by the Duke of Modena.

Pocket watches, then still referred to as pocket clocks, appeared as spring-driven models in Italy by the end of the 1400s. Peter Heinlein, a German locksmith from Nuremberg started manufacturing pocket watches in 1510. Soon after that, the manufacture of pocket watches spread rapidly all over Europe.

There are two different kinds of pocket watches: the open-faced and the covered version. The open-faced pocket watches do not have the cover that flips open. The hunter type are the covered ones. This serves as a protection for the glass on the watch face. Pocket watches has another dial for the seconds that pass and is located at the six oclock position, a stem for the chain at twelve oclock, and a hunter stem for the hinged cover at six oclock. Another type of pocket watch that looks interesting is the old-fashioned wind-up mechanical pocket watches.

Modern pocket watches use quartz movement as opposed to the mechanical watches, meaning, no winding is necessary.

In spite of the popularity of the wristwatches, many still prefer pocket watches for that air of sophistication unrivalled by the wristwatch. As an accessory, pocket watch covers can be added with engravings or embedded with gemstones, and pocket watch accessories can be customized. These can also be made excellent gifts by customizing them with designs you have in mind.

Pocket watches come in different forms and styles: there are Swiss Army Pocket watches, ladies pendants, chronograph and traditional pocket watches. Any of them can make a great keepsake.