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Antique Pocket WatchesPocket watches were developed before miniaturization permitted the manufacture of watches small enough to wear on the wrist. In the 16th century, the earliest portable timepieces small enough to be carried on the person were too big for pockets, too, and were worn on a chain around the neck. It was not until the 17th century that watches were made small enough to fit easily in the pocket.In the latter part of the 19th century, the growth of railroads contributed to the more widespread use of pocket watches. Trainmen needed to know the time in order to switch tracks properly to avoid trainwrecks. In fact, a famous train wreck in Ohio in 1891 happened because a watch belonging to one of the engineers had stopped for 4 minutes. By 1893, standards were developed for pocket watches used by railroad men; pocket watches meeting this standard were known as railroad-grade pocket watches. Among other requirements, railroad-grade pocket watches had to keep time accurately to within 3 seconds a week. Even after the introduction of wristwatches, pocket watches predominated. Wristwatches were originally thought to be appropriate for ladies, but not manly enough for gentlemen. During the first World War, however, military officers realized that a watch on the wrist was more readily accessible than one in the pocket, and the transition to wristwatches for men began. Pocket watches continued to be widely used in railroading, but gradually lost favor among the general population. |
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