Modern Design and Style will go on record today and say the resurgence of the modern pocket watch will soon be a must-have accessory for the modern gentlemen. Though pocket watches have been around for nearly 500 years, making their American made debut in the 1830’s by Henry Pitkin and his brother: in modern times their popularity gave way to wrist watches and the decline in men’s formal daily wear.
Today with advent of the large wrist watch and the gentlemen’s vest coming back into fashion, it is only reasonable to believe these time pieces of years past will regain popularity and be reinvented for the modern, sophisticated man. How does one choose a pocket watch? Here are four tips to consider when choosing: price; accuracy; operation & function; and sizes.
Pricing: Keep in mind the majority of pocket watches sold are in the $100 to $300 price range. Also consider the use; is it a gift, a future heirloom or for everyday use.
Operation and Function: There are two types of movement, mechanical and quartz. Beyond the obvious hour and minute hands many pocket watches feature sun & moon phase dials and month & year dials.
Accuracy: Hands down, quartz watches are more accurate than mechanical watches. Mechanical pocket watches typically have an accuracy of around 60 seconds within a 24 hour period and should be fully wound and the time reset daily.
Sizes: Pocket watches are unisex time pieces that come in sizes from approximately 40mm in diameter to over 50mm in diameter. The most common size is the 45mm diameter pocket watch.
Suggested Brands:
For popular mid-priced watches with a lifetime movement warranty, check out Charles-Hubert. Other mid-priced, high quality and accuracy check out brands like Claude Pascal from Germany, Rapport London and Mount Royal from England. For high price, heirloom watches look into Boegli, Classique, Jacques du Manoir, Jean Marcel & Jean Pierre of Switzerland.