Pocket Watches

[Shawn Pappas]

I'm shopping for a pocket watch and I know next to nothing about them. I want hand wind and simple styling. I found a reproduction WW1 style pocket watch that appealed to me because of it's functional and utilitarian look. For me the watch would only be used occasionally. I'd like to stay around a hundred bucks. What should I look for in a used one? What's the tribe's advice?

[AlwaysVigilant]

Tall order for a hundred bucks, but there are plenty of good ones that will provide years of great service if you are willing to move the price point up a bit.

[Lawrence]

You can get manual pocket watches on amazon for under $50.
Also, you can find vintage pocket watches for amazingly low prices, compared to vintage watches. Plenty of $500 vintage Omega pocket watches around.

I want a waterproof "tactical" pocketwatch. I don't think anybody makes those.

I guess I could buy a Seamaster and remove the wristband :wink:

[Teckomando]

I want a waterproof "tactical" pocketwatch. I don't think anybody makes those.Water resistant to 30m. Rugged rubber casing. Wenger Traveler Pocket Alarm 73015
32155
I think that is as tactical as you're gonna get and it's less expensive than buying a Seamaster and removing the wristband. :cool:

[EDELWEISS]

I have a couple Tier 1 watches (Rolex, Omega, Marathon, etc); but Ive been carrying and using pocket watches for the better part of a year. There was a time when you could go into the "drug Store" and pick up a US made Westclock pocket watch for under $10.00, not anymore. Those days are gone.

You can get Chinese manual and quartz pocket watches on ebay for LESS than the shipping, and much to my surprise they work and keep time--but they are cheap Chinese watches and everytime you take one out to look at, youll know and so will everyone else. Theyd be fine; but in typical its "cheap, so lets tart it up fashion", they try too hard.

Colibri (sp?) is a decent brand almost always under $100, but they tend to be small, think wristwatch size. Im havent actually handled the Wenger, its probably fine but not what I want in a pocket watch. Another option is to keep checking ebay. Ive found some great deals there on old watches (as in 1900 era) on Elgin, Omega, Hamilton, etc.

You can easily spend well above your $100 limit and if possible Id stretch your budget to get better quality, youll be happier in the long run. One more thought Hunter Cases (the flip open cover) are generally a pain, unless you are really gonna be using it in a style thats likely to damage it.

[Shawn Pappas]

Thank you guys, very much. I'm going to follow Edelweiss' advice and watch ebay. I found a couple purported to be British military issue that I think are pretty sharp.