Pocket watches were invented in 1510 and were popular among high society in the 19th and 20th centuries. The lack of precision led to a standard being set for railroad use. They are worn with a chain and are making a comeback in all price ranges.
A pocket watch is a watch intended to be carried in a pocket, rather than worn on the wrist. Pocket watches predate wristwatches by about 400 years, the first being invented in 1510 in Nuremberg, Germany, by Peter Henlein.
Despite their long history, the absence of demanding mass manufacturing meant that the precision of pocket watches varied greatly from watchmaker to watchmaker, even in the 19th century. The terrible results were demonstrated in the great train wreck of 1891 at Kipton, Ohio. Here, an engineer’s pocket watch stopped for 4 minutes, leading to two trains colliding on the same track. The only way to prevent further disasters was for the American Railway Association to set a high-quality standard for pocket watches used on the railroad system. Ergo, a pocket watch that met this standard had the distinction of being railroad approved.
A pocket watch may have a visible bezel or it may be encased, usually in a silver or gold metal casing. The case may be finely polished, engraved, embossed, or other artistic design, such as the once-popular train. The pocket watch case has a small spring clasp. When activated, the bezel lid flips open, hooking into the bottom left of the case for easy closing.
A pocket watch is worn with a gold or silver watch chain. The type of chain depends on where the pocket watch will be worn: in a vest pocket or trouser pocket. T-bar chain slips through vest buttonhole; spring ring chain attaches to a belt loop; and the belt clip chain is attached to the belt itself. A shorter style chain features a decorative key ring at the end and is intended to hang freely from the pocket. In all cases, the other end of the chain is attached to a small ring at the top of the pocket watch, for easy retrieval.
In the 19th century, the pocket watch was a status symbol of high society. This popularity continued into the 20th century when pocket watches became fashion statements worn with zoot suits. And while the wristwatch gained popularity because of its need on the battlefield during World War I to coordinate troop maneuvers (the army issued wristwatches to the troops), the pocket watch was still the go-to accessory. with three-piece suits from the 1950s. Eventually, however, wristwatches replaced the dominant popularity of the pocket watch.
Today there is a revival of interest in the always elegant and classy watch that has been faithfully keeping the hours for almost 500 years. If you are considering a pocket watch for yourself or as a gift, they are sold wherever watches are sold and are available in all price ranges.
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