Antique Pocket Watches

Pocket 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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44 items		Price	Shipping	Total	Time Left
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	RARE Sterling Silver POCKET WATCH Hard Case Holder
	Details » Buy It Now for $79.99 »	Buy it now: $79.99	Based on Zip	$79.99 Plus shipping	17 hrs 18 mins 43 secs
	Item Location: Canada ZIP V9A4V5 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: setonyou Feedback: 2,274 / 100.0% Top-Rated Seller
	GORGEOUS ART NOUVEAU WOMAN POCKET WATCH STAND HOLDER
	Details » Buy It Now for $125.00 »	Buy it now: $125.00	Based on Zip	$125.00 Plus shipping	1 day 14 hrs 58 mins 49 secs
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Crestline, CA, USA ZIP 92325 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: crlogan1 Feedback: 10,615 / 99.9%
	VINTAGE IVY TOLE WARE TOLEWARE WALL CLOCK POCKET WATCH
	Details » Buy It Now for $50.69 »	Buy it now: $50.69	Based on Zip	$50.69 Plus shipping	1 day 16 hrs 43 mins 51 secs
	Item Location: Collingswood, NJ, USA ZIP 08108 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: ellisantique Feedback: 9,284 / 99.8%
	Antique Wood foldable Pocket Watch stand Holder Vintage
	Details » Buy It Now for $129.50 »	Buy it now: $129.50	Based on Zip	$129.50 Plus shipping	2 days 6 hrs 8 mins 57 secs
	Item Location: Naples, FL, USA ZIP 34119 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: gojantina Feedback: 2,525 / 99.3%
	ANTIQUE POCKET WATCH HOLDER STAND CHERUBS PUTTI
	Details » Buy It Now for $374.99 »	Buy it now: $374.99	$12.00	$386.99	2 days 15 hrs 23 mins 46 secs
	Item Location: Winter Haven, FL, USA ZIP 33885 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $12.00 Seller: beauvoirantiques Feedback: 1,845 / 99.7% Top-Rated Seller
	FRENCH CHIC HP TOLE POCKET WATCH CLOCK SHABBY VINTAGE
	Details » Buy It Now for $57.99 »	Buy it now: $57.99	$14.00	$71.99	3 days 8 hrs 3 mins 2 secs
	Item Location: Greeley, CO, USA ZIP 80634 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $14.00 Seller: frenchblueshutters Feedback: 1,282 / 99.8%
	Excellent Condition Hamilton 21 Chronometer-Runs V-Good
	Details » Buy It Now for $2,400.00 »	Buy it now: $2,400.00	$35.00	$2,435.00	3 days 16 hrs 13 mins 32 secs
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Canada ZIP K2S1E5 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $35.00 Seller: klockme Feedback: 452 / 100.0%
	Rare pocket watch
	Details » Buy It Now for $100.00 »	Buy it now: $100.00	Free	$100.00	4 days 8 hrs 20 mins 44 secs
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA ZIP 90042 Shipping Type: Free Seller: navyblubriefs Feedback: 25 / 100.0%
	c.1850 Vitrine Pocket Watch Display Box Brass Bound Burl Walnut w/ Beveled Glass Top
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) » Buy It Now for $295.00 »	Current bid: $225.00 Buy it now: $295.00	Based on Zip	$225.00 Plus shipping	5 days 6 hrs 1 min 56 secs
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Canada ZIP L1A3E6 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: hillshirehouse Feedback: 3,807 / 100.0%
	CUSTOM MADE SOLID TIGER MAPLE " POCKET WATCH CUPBOARD"
	Details » Buy It Now for $675.00 »	Buy it now: $675.00	Freight	$675.00 Plus Shipping	7 days 3 hrs 9 mins 37 secs
	Item Location: Springfield, MA, USA ZIP 01109 Shipping Type: Freight Seller: sholady2 Feedback: 848 / 96.8%
	~PRIMITIVE POCKET WATCH FOR HANGING FROM AN OLDE NAIL~
	Details » Buy It Now for $6.95 »	Buy it now: $6.95	Based on Zip	$6.95 Plus shipping	9 days 9 hrs 22 mins 41 secs
	Item Location: Lynden, WA, USA ZIP 98264 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: thecandlebaker Feedback: 3,373 / 99.0%
	2 PIECES OF STERLING SILVER POCKET WATCH HOLDERS
	Details » Buy It Now for $250.00 »	Buy it now: $250.00	$10.00	$260.00	12 days 13 hrs 42 mins 8 secs
	Item Location: Beverly Hills, CA, USA ZIP 90210 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $10.00 Seller: ambiancearts Feedback: 503 / 100.0%
	RUSSIAN ANTIQUE 84 SILVER SWISS POCKET WATCH
	Details » Buy It Now for $1,400.00 »	Buy it now: $1,400.00	Free	$1,400.00	12 days 17 hrs 44 mins 48 secs
	Item Location: Granada Hills, CA, USA ZIP 91344 Shipping Type: Free Seller: 818tiko Feedback: 187 / 100.0%
	Ernest Borel Gilt Ornamental Pocket Watch w/ Stand 20C
	Details » Buy It Now for $299.99 »	Buy it now: $299.99	Free	$299.99	13 days 10 hrs 18 mins 14 secs
	Item Location: USA Shipping Type: Free Seller: bloomantiques Feedback: 8,592 / 100.0% Top-Rated Seller
	ELGIN Antique Pocket Watch #cux
	Details » Buy It Now for $178.00 »	Buy it now: $178.00	Free	$178.00	14 days 5 hrs 26 mins 4 secs
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA ZIP 72703 Shipping Type: Free Seller: art-coin-currency Feedback: 3,521 / 99.3%
	ANTIQUE HAMILITON RAILROAD POCKET WATCH 1900'S
	Details » Buy It Now for $129.95 »	Buy it now: $129.95	$11.80	$141.75	14 days 5 hrs 30 mins 56 secs
	Item Location: Morrison, IL, USA ZIP 61270 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $11.80 Seller: fortune888888 Feedback: 1,744 / 99.7%
	ELGIN Antique Pocket Watch #usx
	Details » Buy It Now for $158.00 »	Buy it now: $158.00	Free	$158.00	14 days 6 hrs 21 mins 40 secs
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA ZIP 72703 Shipping Type: Free Seller: art-coin-currency Feedback: 3,521 / 99.3%
	UNUSUAL ANTIQUE WALTHAM POCKET WATCH 15J+Seconds-RUNS!
	Details » Buy It Now for $95.00 »	Buy it now: $95.00	Based on Zip	$95.00 Plus shipping	15 days 2 hrs 51 mins 31 secs
	Item Location: Delancey, NY, USA ZIP 13752 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: backobeyond Feedback: 1,374 / 100.0%
	Antique Pocket Watches, Boxes- Parke-Bernet -4/17/70
	Details » Buy It Now for $10.00 »	Buy it now: $10.00	Based on Zip	$10.00 Plus shipping	15 days 5 hrs 44 mins 48 secs
	Item Condition: Very Good Item Location: Northampton, MA, USA ZIP 01061 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: joslinhall Feedback: 3,141 / 100.0% Top-Rated Seller
	Curved Glass Pocket Watch Display Case Railroad Grade
	Details » Buy It Now for $200.00 »	Buy it now: $200.00	Based on Zip	$200.00 Plus shipping	15 days 15 hrs 30 mins 31 secs
	Item Location: Houston, TX, USA ZIP 77018 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: alleywoodart Feedback: 11,857 / 98.9%
	BRASS COMPASS POCKETWATCH STYLE~NEW
	Details » Buy It Now for $6.99 »	Buy it now: $6.99	$2.50	$9.49	15 days 15 hrs 41 mins 2 secs
	Item Location: Jacksonville, FL, USA ZIP 32221 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $2.50 Seller: sell2auction Feedback: 2,095 / 99.2%
	Foreign American Pocket Watches ID Prices / Scarce Book
	Details » Buy It Now for $55.00 »	Buy it now: $55.00	Free	$55.00	15 days 20 hrs 33 mins 2 secs
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Platteville, CO, USA ZIP 80651 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Seller: refbookman Feedback: 17,689 / 100.0% Top-Rated Seller
	Majestime Antique Pocket Watch 17 Jewels
	Details » Buy It Now for $119.95 »	Buy it now: $119.95	Free	$119.95	16 days 6 hrs 5 mins 44 secs
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA ZIP 72703 Shipping Type: Free Seller: art-coin-currency Feedback: 3,521 / 99.3%
	ANTIQUE POCKET WATCH HOLDER BLACK FOREST CARVED WOOD
	Details » Buy It Now for $324.99 »	Buy it now: $324.99	Based on Zip	$324.99 Plus shipping	16 days 10 hrs 56 mins 19 secs
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Winter Haven, FL, USA ZIP 33885 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: beauvoirantiques Feedback: 1,845 / 99.7% Top-Rated Seller
	RARE ANTIQUE CLOCK 19th C SILVER~REPOUSSE~ BOMBE FORM Boudoir 4" High 17Th C. Style French Court Enamel Scene
	Details » Buy It Now for $16,999.99 »	Buy it now: $16,999.99	Based on Zip	$16,999.99 Plus shipping	16 days 13 hrs 31 mins 25 secs
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Collingswood, NJ, USA ZIP 08108 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: ellisantique Feedback: 9,284 / 99.8%
	Russian Antique Silver Pocket Watch 84 BORELb & CO
	Details » Buy It Now for $1,500.00 »	Buy it now: $1,500.00	$6.00	$1,506.00	16 days 14 hrs 7 mins 10 secs
	Item Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA ZIP 11230 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $6.00 Seller: angallery Feedback: 176 / 100.0%
	Genuine Hamilton 21 Ship Chronometer escape wheel
	Details » Buy It Now for $79.00 »	Buy it now: $79.00	$4.95	$83.95	18 days 10 hrs 39 mins 35 secs
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Poquoson, VA, USA ZIP 23662 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.95 Seller: watchdoc Feedback: 1,779 / 100.0% Top-Rated Seller
	~PRIMITIVE SANTA'S MAGIC POCKET WATCH SOAP & CHAIN~
	Details » Buy It Now for $4.00 »	Buy it now: $4.00	Based on Zip	$4.00 Plus shipping	18 days 12 hrs 49 mins 7 secs
	Item Location: Lynden, WA, USA ZIP 98264 Shipping Type: Calculated Seller: thecandlebaker Feedback: 3,373 / 99.0%
	ANTIQUE LENS WOOD CABINET GLASS CRYSTALS POCKETWATCH
	Details » Buy It Now for $549.99 »	Buy it now: $549.99	Free Local Pickup	$549.99	20 days 4 hrs 36 mins 53 secs
	Item Location: Austin, TX, USA ZIP 78755 Shipping Type: Local Pick-up Seller: thepoloexchange Feedback: 988 / 100.0% Top-Rated Seller
	Vintage HK Ornate Frame Angels, 4"d; Child+Pocket Watch
	Details » Buy It Now for $24.45 »	Buy it now: $24.45	$4.50	$28.95	20 days 8 hrs 1 min 22 secs
	Item Location: Cardiff by the Sea, CA, USA ZIP 92007 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.50 Seller: tictictic Feedback: 3,919 / 100.0%

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