Buying a Pocket Watch? 18 Things to Consider

By Dapperfied | May 7, 2015

If you’re in the market for a new pocket watch for yourself or a loved one, there are a few things you should consider before committing to a purchase. You may think that all pocket watches are created alike and that by choosing the style, you’ve already chosen your ideal watch and you can simply go to the store and select whatever they have on hand. The truth is that there are hundreds of different pocket watches available – probably more than you can imagine. Read on for 18 practical things to consider before buying a pocket watch.

Buying a pocket watch. The Low Down.

1.) The Brand Name – You don’t need to be a brand snob, but you should pay some attention to the brand when you’re purchasing your watch. There are dozens of different watch manufacturers out there and not all are made the same. Different companies use different techniques and even employ factories full of people in other countries to make the watches. This leads to a hugely diverse stock of pocket watches available at a wide range of budgets.

Instead of just going with the first watch you see, weigh the company into your decision and then buy from your favorite brand. Maybe you want a company that has been in business for many years or maybe you prefer a group that advocates against child labor. Whatever your preference is, you can usually do a little research before you head out to find a brand or two that you prefer. Just having a brand in mind will narrow down your selection considerably.

2.) The style of the watch – Remember that pocket watches are designed to be worn in a pocket, so they’re going to lack a lot of the fanfare of other watches. They’ll probably be simpler than you’re used to and lack a lot of ornamentation. When assessing the style, pay more attention to the lines and the materials used. You’ll want clean lines and easy to care for materials that won’t scratch if they come in contact with a stray coin or two in your pocket. At the same time, you’ll want to make sure the watch looks nice enough that you’ll be proud to take it out of your pocket every now and then to check the time.

3.) The colour – Pocket watches come in just about every colour. There are metal watches that come in silver, gold, platinum, stainless steel and even bronze. There are sportier varieties with coloured finishes made of a silicone-like material that resists scratching and there are even plastic and ceramic pocket watches. The colour of the watch may seem unimportant, but remember that you don’t want the watch to be in stark contrast to your clothing. Buy something with a subtle colour like black, brown or metallic and you’ll be much happier than if you try to match your watch to your date’s dress.

4.) Analog or digital – Today there are 2 types of watches on the market – analog and digital. Digital watches display the time numerically that’s more user friendly and easy to read. Analog watches have the hands and must be read. Typically, people view analog watches as being much classier and often prefer them because of this.

5.) What do the reviews say? – That’s right, it’s time to take a complete stranger’s opinion into consideration. Read reviews about the watch you’re looking at to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs. Take every review with a grain of salt as people are far more likely to review a product that doesn’t live up to their expectations than one that does.

Things to look out for include mechanical defects, poor warranties and other red flags. You’ll want a watch that is going to last, so make sure you search carefully for any potential problems before you put down your hard earned money on a watch.

6.) The price – Obviously the price is a big factor. Set your budget before you begin looking and only consider watches that fall within that price range. If you look at more expensive designs, you may fall in love with a feature you simply can’t afford. When it comes to watches and their various design elements, remember the phrase, “out of sight, out of mind”. If you never know about a new high-tech feature, you can’t miss it if you can’t afford it.

If you’re not finding any watches you like that are within your price range, you may want to wait until the end of the year for holiday sales or for end-of-season sales and clearance events. You can often score last year’s designs for a fraction of their retail costs if you just exercise a little bit of patience.

7.) The chain, strap or band – There are a lot of ways that pocket watches can attach to your trousers or vest. In the old days the watches were designed to attach to a button or another part of the outfit so they couldn’t get lost. That’s still true for the most part. Check out the attachment type to find a pocket watch you like. Many men prefer thick chains or heavy leather bands.

8.) The material – Look at the case of the watch. What is it made of? Pocket watches can be made with silver, gold, sterling silver, bronze or any other type of metal. Ceramic and even glass can be used in the case as well. Typically, everyday watches will be made of some type of metal while collector’s pieces will be made of other, more decorative materials.

Metals also have the advantage of being able to be engraved. If you plan to give the pocket watch as a gift, you may want to have it engraved as a special gift to a friend or family member. Check with your local jeweller or watch dealer to see which watch cases can be engraved. In general, gold and silver are your best bet.

9.) The mechanics – If you know anything about watch mechanics, take a minute to examine the inner workings of the watches you are considering. You’ll want your new pocket watch to last for years to come, so it’s important for it to work well and to continue to work well for the foreseeable future. Swiss quartz timepieces are used by many leading brands because of their reliability.

Even if you don’t know anything about watch mechanics, you can still peek inside to make sure gears are made of metal, rather than plastic. Metal gears will last much longer when cared for properly. While rust and corrosion may be a problem in some climates, generally speaking, metal parts will wear far better than plastic ones.

10.) Consider how you will use it – If you plan to use the watch as an everyday accessory, you’ll want a piece that’s function and timeless. If you only plan to wear it for special occasions, you can choose a pocket watch that’s a little bit nicer. If you’re just looking for an item to collect, you can really go all out and choose a pocket watch design that’s unique. Remember, the watch will be kept in your pocket, so you don’t need it to be anything special, just functional and moderately attractive.

11.) Consider where you will use it – Some watches have the ability to get wet without becoming damaged. This waterproofing is a good feature if you frequently walk to work or live in an area where it rains frequently. Because pocket watches are usually protected by the material of your pocket, you don’t have to worry about them the same way you’d have to worry about a wristwatch, but many people like the peace of mind that comes with a waterproof design. After all, you never know when a glass of water or a cup of coffee will spill on the pocket that’s housing your watch.

Sometimes waterproofing is written as a depth. In general, the greater the number of meters that the watch is waterproof to, the greater the water resistance. A depth of 99 meter is typical for watches that are rain resistant, but not suitable for swimming or showering.

12.) The age of the watch – If you’re buying a brand new watch, the age really isn’t a factor. However, if you’re buying a vintage or used pocket watch, you’ll want to take into account the age of the timepiece. Watches greater than 75 years are considered vintage and will fetch a higher price than other used watches. If you’re not interested in purchasing a vintage piece, look for a watch that is less than 75 years old, but still old enough to be affordable.

Remember that watchmakers that have gone out of business are a hot commodity for collectors, so even watches that are less than 75 years old will fetch a higher price if the company that made it has gone out of business. When buying a used watch, knowing your watchmakers and their history will surely pay off.

13.) Where to shop – There are so many places that you can look at when buying a pocket watch and it’s hard to know where the best place to shop is. Do you go to a jeweller? A bargain warehouse type of store? An antique shop? The internet? An auction site? Evaluate each of your options and visit a few before deciding on one to use for your purchase.

If you’re looking for a great deal, the internet is your best bet. Internet retailers have less overhead than brick and mortar stores, so you’ll get the savings passed on to you in the form of lower product prices. If you’re looking for an unusual type of watch or one that is no longer in production or possibly even a used watch, the internet will always yield more options to choose from.

14.) Open face or hinged? – Pocket watches come in 2 styles – open faced and hinged. Open face watches are just as the name implies. They have no covering over the face, so you never have to deal with a hinge or a cover. The watches always display the time in plain site, so you merely have to take the watch out of your pocket and glance at it. Closed face watches have a hinged cover. You have to activate a lever to release the cover to display the face of the watch.

Open face watches have 1 main drawback: the face is exposed and can easily be damaged. Closed face watches on the other hand have a more protected face and are better for people with an active lifestyle. Consider your activity level and how you plan to use the watch when choosing between open and closed styles.

15.) Consider the lifespan – Not all watches are made the same. With that in mind, realize that not all watches have the same lifespan. Some may only last a couple of years while others will be good for decades. The watches that last the longest are typically the most expensive. If you have the budget, you may consider purchasing a higher quality watch that you can pass on to your children to create a family heirloom.

16.) Does the watch have a story? – Some watches have stories. Antique pieces have obviously lived another life before they came to your possession and those can be quite interesting conversation starters. When buying a pocket watch used, get as much of the piece’s history as possible so you can tell people that admire your pocket watch about its story.

If you’re buying a new watch, the brand may have a story. Some brand names have long histories that you can incorporate into your timepiece’s story. Most people will start a conversation with you in regards to your watch because pocket watches are not as common as they were at once point.

17.) Think about options – Are you a Harley enthusiast? Perhaps you’re a history buff. Whatever your passion is, you can find a pocket watch to match it. Some watchmakers are creating pocket watches with pictures on the dial of the watch. These highly personalized timepieces are great for collectors or regular individuals looking for a piece with a little more meaning than the average watch.

18.) Think of it as an investment – When choosing a pocket watch, look for a piece that you can pass on to future generations. Think of the watch as an investment and choose an item you’ll be proud to give to your kids or grandkids. Why choose an ordinary watch when you can spend a little bit more and get something that will become an heirloom? Choosing a piece made of a precious metal or set with diamonds can be a great choice too. In general, diamonds and precious metals will appreciate with time while cash will lose value. Investing in physical materials that will gain value is a great way to protect your wealth while enjoying a beautiful timepiece at the same time.

Buying a pocket watch – wrap up time.

Use these 18 tips to help you find the right pocket watch for your needs. Once you start looking for your dream timepiece you’ll be surprised how many watches there are on the market. Take your time when shopping to find just the right watch for your needs, budget and personality.