Pocket watch

GingerLily

Hi,
I want to get a pocket watch for a gift for my partner on our wedding day, while I don't have money to burn, I'd like to get something a little bit special. A lot of the jewelers I've looked at all have then for around 60e, which makes me wary of the quality and shelf life.
Ideally I want something that he'll have for a while and that looks stylish, maybe around the 150e mark.
Any advise on where to look would be greatly appreciated!

GingerLily

GingerLily wrote: »

Hi,
I want to get a pocket watch for a gift for my partner on our wedding day, while I don't have money to burn, I'd like to get something a little bit special. A lot of the jewelers I've looked at all have then for around 60e, which makes me wary of the quality and shelf life.
Ideally I want something that he'll have for a while and that looks stylish, maybe around the 150e mark.
Any advise on where to look would be greatly appreciated!

I'd have a look around online for an old waltham pocket watch. You might need to spend a bit more but at least you will have something worth buying. The modern pocket watches are nearly always Chinese skeleton movements and poor quality. From a quick search on ebay you should pick one up for 200-250.

Carlosthejakal

Hi gingerlily,
The pocket watch is a lovely idea, but not something you could use regularly. Have you thought about a nice watch he could wear everyday ?

CarltonBrowne

Carlosthejakal wrote: »

Hi gingerlily,
The pocket watch is a lovely idea, but not something you could use regularly. Have you thought about a nice watch he could wear everyday ?

Oi! I wear a pocket watch most days .

In terms of the OP, can you give us an idea of deadline? Most new pocket watches at either end of your budget won't be up to much and I wouldn't necessarily see a huge qualitative difference between one for €60 and €150. If there's more time it might give you some opportunity to pick up something from the likes of Ebay and get it serviced. Pocket watches are out of fashion and bargains can be found - my area of interest is British Army pocket watches in a series from the 30s and 40s known as GS/TP and I pick most of these up for around £50 - most need a service (and even an overhaul if I'm unlucky). There are however a couple by JLC and Omega that normally go for 3 or 4 times that budget. Another area of interest is American railroad watches and a number of these have beautifully decorated movements; this is probably an opportunity for Wibbs to chime in as I don't know very much.

One tip I would give if you go for something new is avoid gold-plated. If your other half actually takes to wearing it then it's likely the quality of plating will be rudimentary and it will wear quickly (presumably you're buying this with a view to the long haul!). The other advantage of getting a stainless steel case is that you should be able to pick up a solid silver chain for it in the future for not too much money.

Edit: Just to add that I was using the GS/TP watches as an example of the value that can be had; they are also all plated cases (though chrome over brass) so may not be suitable for you.

GingerLily

Not until August so there's loads of time left.
I would like to get him a pocket watch as I think it's something that he'll be able to treasure for years to come rather then something you wear to work every day, I think he'd appreciate it.
I'm terrified going on ebay and buying something I know nothing about.

ianwalsh2

I'm certainly no expert on pocket watches, but we ordered pocket watches as gifts for both fathers for our wedding from pocketwatch.co.uk. Granted you'll be looking at a higher budget than ours, the ones we went for were £80 each. We went for Woodford which is a British brand but at that price I'd imagine are Chinese manufactured as mentioned by another poster. That site has a massive variety and it may be worth calling them for their advice, they're effectively just a jeweller in the UK that have a site specialising in pocket watches.

Both Dad's were delighted and they looked great on the day with the suits. However it is worth noting that they were somewhat of a novelty and haven't seen the light of day since! They might get another run out at future events. But I see where you're coming from with the idea, it is more of a momento than a gift that is likely to get regular use.

peasant

When it comes to (affordable) pocket watches you basically have two choices:

1) You go for a real pocket watch
...and as they went out of fashion in the early to mid 20th century you're looking at antiques, with all that brings with it. Difficult to gauge value, condition and further life expectancy of the watch

2) You go for a "fake" new pocket watch
Something cheap, with a cheap Chinese movement that's made to look expensive and more or less old. Could work ...or maybe give up the ghost on the second outing.



But hang on ...there is a third alternative...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/ifq/Orient-Hand-Pocket-Watch-Power-Reserve-CDD00001W/B002LE7B8M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486490640&sr=8-1&keywords=orient+pocket+watch

This is a brand new pocket watch (with power reserve indicator no less) that is made by a reputable Japanese maker, with a reputable movement. It looks good, should last for years on end and doesn't cost the world.

and because the Amazon picture is woeful ...here's a short vid

and a review:
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/orient-cdd00001w-pocket-watch-review/

flutered

a russian pocket watch will fit your pocket, from €30 on they are workhorses, some guys are putting them in the pams

peasant

flutered wrote: »

a russian pocket watch will fit your pocket, from €30 on they are workhorses, some guys are putting them in the pams

Great fan of them myself...but not really of wedding present quality