Not brave enough to post a pocket watch in WRUW
I know. Not everyone swings this way. But I've always kind of wanted a pocket watch.
You can buy them new, but they get pretty expensive because let's face it - you're shopping for a pocket watch, corporate knows you're a sucker.
So I was very excited to learn about the world of vintage dollar watches:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_watch
To paraphrase, setting the price of a pocket watch at just $1.00 was like the space race of the 19th century - a great milestone of industrial achievement finally reached in 1896. It turns out that these super-cheap watches were produced into the 1990s (although they did end up costing like $3 or $5 by the end of the run). I grabbed this running Westclox Pocket Ben at an antique store last weekend for $30.
What made me instantly need to have it? Simple: "MADE IN CANADA". I don't have a very high opinion of my country's historically weak industrial sector, so I knew that this would mean solid materials, heavy construction, American ownership of the company, and middling reliability. But it sure makes me prouder than a vastly superior $250 Seiko would.
(Westclox is a U.S. company whose sole Canadian factory was located in Peterborough, Ontario.)
Zero jewels, beats louder than anything and everything I have ever owned combined. Dollar watches are not meant to be serviced - they were disposable even in their own era. But they can be regulated... and a simple twist of the lever (with timegrapher phone app) got it running from +15 min/day to +/-1. I'm very proud of myself!!
Anyway, got any chain recommendations?
child of the 90s... collector on a budget... happily married and loving the socially acceptable way for men to talk about their jewelry habit
Hey man, don’t be embarrassed. You love who you love and that’s ok.
What you love. You love what you love is what I meant.
We have already jumped the shark in the WRUW section with a smart watch not even displaying the time (summary of workout, you know who you are lol), so I can't see any objections to a wonderful pocket watch. I'd be quite happy to see somebody posting a grand father clock.
I got too many pocket bulges to make room for another one 🤣
But you do you...bring sexy back.
I'm all for it! I've got three now but never posted one as a wrist shot. Bloody good idea!
I have a Westclox Dax and I had it serviced or, more correctly, repaired. It now runs and keeps time although it just stops at some point during the day. Hey, it's a 90 year old dollar pocket watch.
On the chain front, mine is on one of those cheap Chinese chrome jobs from Amazon or Ebay or whatever that cost under $12. I have yet to shorten the chain. Any fool with a pair of pliers can pry open a link, cut some more off, and twist the original link back if they want to reduce the amount of dangle. Or you can go all out and make your own from parts https://www.ofrei.com/page2004.html
Definitely post it to wruw, it'll make a nice change.
I've not bought any yet. I've added one to my favourites but it's a big four figure price tag so it's never going to happen. I wish I knew more about them so I could make an informed purchase (at a sensible price point).
No shame in a pocketwatch!!! I'm currently in the market for one for my horseback hours...
Great pocket watch, you should definitely wear and show it. Even show it off. It's always fun to baffle people.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/wruw/2023-06-02#comment-503840
the only time I ever get compliment is when pulling out one of my pocket watches.
And for the chain recommendation: for a simple steel watch a simple steel chain. I wouldn't go to fancy. Got my chain for my watchmaker. Unfortunately the price wasn't that simple.
Cheers!
I love my pocket watch, its very possible to get a good pocket watch for a decent price and still easy to get service. Westclox are like those horrible stamped metal alarm clocks they used to make, big, tinny and loud. Even 70s Soviet Molnija Pocket watches are better, and they are at least made to be serviced.
Great pocket watch, you should definitely wear and show it. Even show it off. It's always fun to baffle people.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/wruw/2023-06-02#comment-503840
the only time I ever get compliment is when pulling out one of my pocket watches.
And for the chain recommendation: for a simple steel watch a simple steel chain. I wouldn't go to fancy. Got my chain for my watchmaker. Unfortunately the price wasn't that simple.
Cheers!
I made my own chain, I had too many crappy Chinese findings fail to trust modern chains. Yes its ugly but I'm not dropping MY watch!.
I think that you chain is cool. It may not be a gorgeous as your pocket watch (and it truly is), but telling from the photo it matches up great. And you made it your self. I my opinion that only adds to the cool factor.
I think that you chain is cool. It may not be a gorgeous as your pocket watch (and it truly is), but telling from the photo it matches up great. And you made it your self. I my opinion that only adds to the cool factor.
That’s because I wear my pocket watch in my right front pocket workman style. My only annoyance is that in women’s jeans 75% of the time the watch pocket is too small for the watch.
I own several pocket watches and I love them. Pocket watches are where some of the most beautiful and advanced craftsmanship in watchmaking first happened. I don't carry any of mine but rather use them like desk clocks on a stand.
I own several pocket watches and I love them. Pocket watches are where some of the most beautiful and advanced craftsmanship in watchmaking first happened. I don't carry any of mine but rather use them like desk clocks on a stand.
Get a nice heavy case RR style an try. Its fun, it always makes me feel like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. And I'll tell you right off, it gets a LOT more notice than any wrist watch.
Got this from @eliamathias who found it in a weekend flea market. Technically, I can't post it on #wruw as it's not with me at the moment.
It's currently with my son in Germany for safekeeping. But I can't wait to finally get it and post updated photos of it.
So go ahead and post your photos if you are carrying it in pocket. 🥳🍻
Got this from @eliamathias who found it in a weekend flea market. Technically, I can't post it on #wruw as it's not with me at the moment.
It's currently with my son in Germany for safekeeping. But I can't wait to finally get it and post updated photos of it.
So go ahead and post your photos if you are carrying it in pocket. 🥳🍻
I hope you can get it running properly!! Can‘t wait to hear the updates ;)
Thanks for sharing the info. I had no idea of dollar watches.
Very cool post and Awsome pocket watch. All for the wapping price of $1.00!!! That’s insane 🤣. You should definitely post this as you daily watch especially if it actually is that watch you take out for the day.