Pocket Watches

Two Types of Pocket Watches

Pocket watches usually come in two different kinds - open faced and hunter cased. Hunter cased is the kind that we probably think envision when we imagine a Victorian man pulling a watch out of his pocket and flipping open the front. They are designed just like a compact, protecting the face of the watch.

History of the Pocket Watch

Early Watches

The modern day watch was created in the 16th century after the spring driven clock had been invented. However, since these watches were quite large and uncomfortable, it wasn't until the 17th century that people began to have mobile watches that they could keep with them wherever they went.

At the time, and for many years following, the pocket watch was the premiere travel-ready watch and it was extremely common and trendy for people to have them.

Working On The Railroad

Pocket watches were used extensively by train workers in the second half of the 19th century. Because of the lack of technology at the time, railroad employees were responsible for knowing exactly what time it was in order to prevent the occurrence of train crashes and other deadly accidents. Because of this fact, pocket watches for a long time were part of the required uniform for all railroad workers.

According to the website Wikipedia.com, "The first steps toward codified standards for railroad-grade watches were taken in 1887 when the American Railway Association held a meeting to define basic standards for watches. However, it took a disaster to bring about widespread acceptance of stringent standards. A famous train wreck on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway in Kipton, Ohio on April 19, 1891 occurred because one of the engineers' watches had stopped for 4 minutes. The railroad officials commissioned Webb C. Ball as their Chief Time Inspector, in order to establish precision standards and a reliable timepiece inspection system for Railroad chronometers. This led to the adoption in 1893 of stringent standards for pocket watches used in railroading. These railroad-grade pocket watches, as they became colloquially known, had to meet the General Railroad Timepiece Standards adopted in 1893 by almost all railroads. These standards read, in part:

"...open faced, size 16 or 18, have a minimum of 17 jewels, adjusted to at least five positions, keep time accurately to within 30 seconds a week, adjusted to temps of 34 to 100 °F. have a double roller, steel escape wheel, lever set, regulator, winding stem at 12 o'clock, and have bold black Arabic numerals on a white dial, with black hands."

Additional requirements were adopted in later years in response to additional needs; for example, the adoption of the diesel-electric locomotive led to new standards from the 1940s on specifying that timekeeping accuracy could not be affected by electromagnetic fields."

Not So Popular Anymore

Needless to say, pocket watches were ousted by the dawn of the wrist watch, and people lost interest in them as technology advanced and we became a true "on the go" society. People, especially women, rarely carry a lot of things in their pockets, let alone a big watch!

The trendiness of the pocket watch officially came to an end when companies began to give gold watches as gifts to workers who were retiring. This made the pocket watch a status symbol of representing old age, retirement, and a feeling of the past. Not very good news in a culture that is always looking forward!

Collecting Pocket Watches

Pocket Watches have been enjoying a second chance at life as collector's items. Many people make a great amount of money collecting these classic time pieces, and many watch companies as well as various novelty shops make customized and limited edition pocket watches. From Disneyland to fine jewelers, you can find a wide array of pocket watches to fit the needs of every collector.

On the internet as well, there is a huge market for pocket watches and avid collectors congregate on websites, message boards, and at occasional conventions to swap tips and admire each other's pocket watch stash.

Changed, Rather Than Forgotten

While the functionality and stylishness of pocket watches is no longer center stage in the time keeping world, pocket watches remain as a huge part of our history and a representation of things fondly vintage, noble, and high class. If you are looking for a great gift for an older relative or for a friend who likes to collect things, then consider pocket watches. They are a gift that will be sure to not disappoint!

by Tamara Warta