Hobbies And Interests
History
Portable timepieces were not invented until the 16th century, although clock technology had existed for thousands of years in the form of sundials and counterbalance systems. Peter Henlein, a German master locksmith, is credited with being one of the first inventors of the watch. Locksmiths at the time first made watches because they already worked with steel, brass, silver and gold in their trade, and were able to develop increasingly minute designs. The manufacture of the pocket watch spread as its capabilities multiplied. Minute and second hands were added by the 18th century, and further developments were made in maintaining timekeeping accuracy. By World War I, the wristwatch, which had previously been worn by women, began to replace the pocket watch because of its convenience. Today few pocket watches are seen, and the clock function on the mobile phone has taken over as the dominant method of pocket time-telling.
Benefits
The invention of portable clocks allowed for other industries to flourish. In astronomy and physics, scientists were better able to carry out experiments and perform calculations with these smaller, more convenient timepieces. Ship captains used pocket watches to determine their location, thus minimizing the danger of sea travel. In the 19th century, railroad engineers used high-standard pocket watches to maintain a safe railway system, as the slightest timing error could result in a train accident. For the modern person, vintage pocket watches are mainly a mark of style and eccentricity, in addition to serving as a practical device.
Features
Vintage pocket watches are available with a variety of functional detail differences. Some are open-face, with no cover over the watch crystal, while others have a covering lid called a hunter-case, which is attached by a hinge at the 9 o'clock position. Modern hunter-cases are usually attached at the 6 o'clock position. Some older antique watches feature a key-winding mechanism, which requires the use of a metal key to keep the watch running, while later watches were fitted with a crown-winding mechanism that did not require a key. High-quality pocket watches usually include jewel technology inside the watch mechanism to prevent metal gears from wearing down against one another. Additionally, most pocket watches are attached to some kind of watch chain.
Types
Most available collectible vintage pocket watches were made after 1700, and indeed some of the most popular types come from the Civil War era. One of the most sought-after type of vintage watch is the Waltham, which was the first interchangeable parts watch put into mass production. Few of these watches were made and they often sell for thousands of dollars today. Another popular vintage watch is the Studebaker, which was made by the same company that makes Studebaker cars, and often sells for more than $1,000. Railroad watches also attract watch and history enthusiasts.
Considerations
Many vintage pocket watch types have a corresponding imitation version made in the same period. For example, a Rockford imitation watch might be labeled as a "Rockville" watch. Most imitation pocket watches were made before 1871, after which stringent laws were passed to prevent forgery and the price of genuine watches began to decrease. The fake pocket watch largely disappeared after 1910. Imitations can be identified by their copycat names, and often include large blue jewels and Roman numerals on the face. These fake pocket watches also have value in the collectibles market, but they should not be confused with their inspirations.