A Return to Pocket Watches

[jscheck]

Some years ago I had a few pocket watches. I was always impressed with the workmanship and intricate detail in the old watches. Unfortunately circumstances came about which made me sell my watches. Recently I've gotten the bug again and purchased another. Before I purchased I looked up some old threads here and saw Jon651 had posted in at least one. I messaged him and he gave me very good advice. I purchased an early 50's Elgin and I'm very happy with it. If I can figure it out I will have pictures of my "new" watch here-

 

[Rustyt1953]

Congratulations. That is a simplistically elegant example of craftsmanship.

Here is my pocket watch.

 

[StakeOut]

When I put a phone in my pocket a wrist watch/pocket watch became obsolete unless decoration needed for a black tie event.Then I put on my faux Rolex President.
Haven't bought a newspaper since getting HS Internet service and tapping into the 24hr news cycle.Another obsolete item.

 

[M1A]

Always liked them.
As an electrician I carried one for forty years. No metal on hands or wrists.
Had a real nice one with fob and chain for dress up. Passed that on to my son. You've got a great nostalgic piece.
No Swiss movement in a Samsung.

 

[Telecaster]

My very first watch was a pocket watch. I was just a kid and they fascinated me. I went with wrist watches since then, and I was going to quip that my phone is my pocket watch now.

I actually hate using my phone as a watch. I don't like to pull something out of my pocket to see the time, I'd rather just look at my wrist or the wall.

 

[Cdog]

Most of us have more room in our pockets today...

May as well fill it with a fine watch.

 

[Shark Bait]

This one belonged to one of my great grandfathers.

 

[walkin jack]

When my daughter graduated from medical school my dad gave her a 30-day jaunt through Europe. While she was in Switzerland she got my dad the most beautiful pocket watch I've ever seen. If I ever find it I'll post a pic.

Something about a pocket watch seems to recall a kinder, Gentler, and more elegant time.

Oh, and she got me a genuine Swiss pocket knife. Not one made for export (red). Mine is blue. Both my dad and I got great gifts!

 

[ZGrand]

Very nice Elgin. I know next to nothing about pocket watches -- the only one I have is also an Elgin, though not near as fancy as yours. It belonged to my Father -- as far as I know he bought it in the late 1940's after returning home from WWII. I'm sure he didn't have much in the way of discretionary funds at the time.

 

[biku324]

Have grandpa's 1924 Elgin. It works perfectly.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I had a dapper uncle who adored his pocket watch.

This was him:

 

[BigBelle]

Congratulations. That is a simplistically elegant example of craftsmanship.

Here is my pocket watch.

Looks pretty slick does it have good battery life ?

 

[Old_Cop]

I collected RR grade pocket watches for many years. Got interested in guns again and drifted away although I still have the watches.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My very first watch was a pocket watch. I was just a kid and they fascinated me. I went with wrist watches since then, and I was going to quip that my phone is my pocket watch now.

I actually hate using my phone as a watch. I don't like to pull something out of my pocket to see the time, I'd rather just look at my wrist or the wall.

Same here. In a hunting stand very early or very late a cell phone will light you up like car headlights. I still wear a wrist watch. A Timex Indego. If it's too dark to see the hands. A push of a button illuminates the dial with a soft green glow.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Looks pretty slick does it have good battery life ?

With heavy YouTube and Spotify use I average 15 hours on a charge. We have a charger in the car and Ruthie keeps a charger in her purse in case we get locked in a saloon overnight.

 

[Onomea]

I have three American railroad watches, two Hamiltons from the 1950s and this 1921 Illinois Sangamo Special:









From the late 19th to mid 20th centuries, American railroad watches were among the finest timepieces in the world. They were required to be accurate to within 30 seconds a week, and were inspected weekly.

The requirement for highly accurate watches for railroad use came about because on the single track rails of the day, too many trains were running smack into each other. With accurate watches, one could safely pull aside on a spur to let the other pass.

 

[Chuck24]

Now get a real long chain and a Zoot suit and you'll be the bee's knees.

 

[jscheck]

I forgot to mention that it's a railroad grade watch. Thanks for the replies! Rusty, I hate looking at my cell phone for the time! I took it to a watch repairman yesterday and he examined it and put it on the timer and said I didn't have to do anything to it, it was running great. I'm really pleased with it and plan on carrying it when not at work.

 

[Tom S.]

Congratulations. That is a simplistically elegant example of craftsmanship.

Here is my pocket watch.

That's only half of my watch. Here's the other half:

The watch interfaces with the phone. I can read/send messages, use it to take calls and a host of other features PLUS it tells time!

Plus the face is software driven and can be changed to boat load of other styles.

 

[fhsjrm]

I had a company in Fort Collins, Colorado called Vortic convert two of my great-grandfather's pocket watches into wristwatches. One for me, and one for my Dad. Mine is a Burlington (Illinois movement) from 1921, and Dad's is a Waltham from 1925. They do amazing work and my Burlington has become my favorite watch. Here are some before and after picks.