subject: Pocket Watches For The Modern Gentleman [print this page] When we think about pocket watches we generally associate them with Victorian gentlemen from a period drama or Charles Dickens book. The whole idea of pocket watches is full of the association with the quintessential English gentleman.
However, there has recently been a changing of the tides, and pocket watches have made a comeback as the timepiece of choice for the stylish and modern, well dressed man. Having a pocket watch to hand for checking the time can add a great sense of sophistication to your appearance.
Far from being an exclusively upper class or overly stuffy look, pocket watches speak of cutting edge style in a manner that would grace the top level fashion catwalks of London, Milan, or Paris. You will emanate class and style, something that can only be achieved with the correct accessories, such as a timepiece.
Introduction of pocket watches
pocket watches were first introduced in the 16th century, but these were large clunky designs that were not easily worn. It was the 18th century when they were adopted more widely; however, at this point they were still luxury items that were valued extremely highly by all, and only owned by very wealthy individuals. At the end of the 18th century watches were being made that were less expensive but more crudely made these were aimed at sailors and such people who were in need of an accessible pocket watch to tell time as part of their job.
Added to this, the internal movement method favoured today, in lever watches, was not used commonly until 1820. Up until this point, various different methods were used, most of which failed to keep time accurately over the course of a day or week, losing an hour or so per day by moving too quickly.
Manufacture
Pocket watches were hand made until more recently, with the Swiss being the most efficient makers until the Americans entered the market in the late 1800s. At this point, some American companies could turn out 50,000 usable watches each year, meaning that the Swiss had to change to producing accurate and precise watches instead of mass produced watches.
The two major styles of pocket watches are the open face watch, one which has no covering or casing to protect its face, and the Hunter-case watch, which has a spring-hinged metal lid or cover to protect the face of the watch.
Open face watches usually have their pendant attached at the twelve oclock position, and their sub-second dial at the six oclock position. Hunter-case watches of an antique pedigree have their lid hinges at the 9 oclock position and their crown, stem and bow at 3 oclock. More modern Hunter-case watches have their hinges at the 6 oclock position, with the crown, stem and bow at 12 oclock.
by: Daniel Crow
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