Illinois Two Tone Gold Filled Art Deco Opened Faced Pocket Watch from 1922
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Illinois Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced / Multi Colored Applique / Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow and White Gold Heavy Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR...
Illinois Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch with Rare Hammered Case and Red Dial
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is one of the most unusual Illinois pocket watches I have ever seen. The white heavy gold filled case has a unique "hand hammered" finish to it.
Gold-filled
Antique 14k Gold Illinois Grade 279 Size 12S 21j Open Face Octagon Pocket Watch
Located in Montclair, NJ
Case Material: Solid 14k White Gold Case Type: Open Face Case Serial No.: 377749 Case Width: 43.1mm Weight: 52.7 Grams (Case and Movement) Condition: Fine quality, antique, American-...
14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Gold-Plated Full Hunter Cased Pocket Watch Signed Illinois Watch Case Co
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Carlisle, GB
Antique Gold Plated Full Hunter Cased Pocket Watch Signed Illinois Watch Case Co.
Gold Plate, Enamel
Illinois Watch Co. Grade 525 14 Karat Gold Open Face Pocket Watch 17 Jewel
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Illinois Watch Co. Pocket Watch w/ Discolored Dial 14KT White Gold Case w/ Intricate Hand-Etched Design on Case "TEM" on Back of Case Black Arabic Numerals Case Se...
14k Gold
1908 Illinois Gold-Filled Full Hunter Pocket Watch, Size 0S
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Beautiful antique Illinois pocket watch with white dial including black hands and a dedicated seconds dial.
Gold-filled
Illinois Watch Co Gold-Filled Antique Open Face Pocket Watch, Size 16S
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Beautiful antique Illinois pocket watch with off-white dial including black hands and a dedicated seconds dial.
Gold-filled
Illinois Watch Co. Currier Gold Filled Pocket Watch
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Dallas, TX
Illinois Watch Co. Currier Gold Filled Pocket Watch - Manual winding; Key wind, Key set.
Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Towson, MD
One 1921 yellow gold filled open face Illinois Bunn Special railroad pocket watch serial number 3909834 size 16.
Gold-filled, Yellow Gold
Illinois Hunter Case Tricolor Gold Antique Pocket Watch
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Antique Illinois hunter case tricolor 14 karat gold pocket watch circa 1919.
14k Gold
Sold
H 1.5 in W 1.5 in Dm 0.48 in
14k Yellow Gold Illinois Open Face Hand Engraved Pocket Watch with White Dial
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Absolutely beautiful pocket watch. Made by Illinois 1900s. Heavy gauge 14K yellow gold.
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1922 Illinois 10 Karat Gold Pocket Watch, Works, Excellent Condition
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage 1922 Illinois 10kt Gold Pocket Watch, Works, Excellent Condition, Santa Fe Special, 21 Jewel, Illinois Watch Co.
Gold, 10k Gold
Vintage 1923 Illinois Pocket Watch, Railroad, Gold-Plated, Working, 17 Jewel
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage 1923 Illinois Pocket watch, Railroad, Gold Plated, Working, Size 16s, 17 Jewel, Openface, Model 9, Grade 706, Work, Black Numerals, Silver/Champagne Face, Gold Dial, It's wor...
Gold Plate
Illinois 14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch with Fob and Banded Agate
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: Illinois Material: 14k yellow gold Dimensions: FOB chain is 13 ¼-inches long Serial#: 480XXX MVT#: 729422 Weight: 69.3 w/mvt grams
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Illinois Watch Co. Pocket Watch Key Wind Working Sterling Silver 1886 Year
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Illinois co. pocket watch in good working condition.
Sterling Silver
Illinois Railroad Gold Filled Pocket Watch
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Dallas, TX
Illinois Railroad Gold Filled ca. 1923 Railroad Grade Pocket Watch - Manual winding; 21 Jewels Model 9 Bunn Special.
Gold-filled
Vintage Illinois Gold-Filled Pocket Watch
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Illinois gold-filled pocket watch. Open face, Size 12, Model 117 jewel double roller mechanism, 3/4 plate.
Gold-filled
Heritage Illinois Bunn Special Pocket Watch in White Gold Plate
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Bloomington, MN
Heritage Illinois Bunn Special Pocket Watch in White Gold Plate This Illinois Watch Company Bunn Special pocket watch dates to approximately 1926 and features a 50 mm white gold pla...
Gold Plate, White Gold
Illinois 1886 Pocket Watch Working Case Heavy 7 Jewel Hunting
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in San Diego, CA
The movement is 7 jewel, hunting, working, and serial number 964103. Overall this pocket watch is in very nice condition. Manufacturer: Illinois Manufacturer Location: Springfield...
Vintage Gold-Plated Pendant Watch, Dolly Brand, Working, 15 Jewel
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Gold Plated Pendant Watch, Dolly Brand, Working, 15 Jewel, 2 Adjusted, Swiss Made, Ariston Watch Co. Produced by Illinois Watch Co. Beautiful vintage from the 1920's, 24 m...
Gold Plate
Illinois Gold-Filled Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch circa 1927
Located in New York, NY
Gold-filled Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch, circa 1927.
Gold-filled
1929 Vintage Illinois Central Pocket Watch, 14kt White Gold Filled, Working
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Illinois Central Pocket Watch, White Gold Filled with Gold Detail, Beautiful Engraving, 43mm by 43 mm Case, Chronograph, 1929.
1923 Illinois Pocket Watch, Banker, 14 Karat White Gold Filled, Working, 17
Located in San Diego, CA
1923 Illinois Pocket Watch, Banker, 14k White Gold Filled, Working, 12s Size, 17 Jewel, Openface, Squared Case, 43 mm Case, Adjusted.
Gold-filled, White Gold
Illinois Abe Lincoln 21 Jewel Manual Wind Railroad Pocket Watch
Located in Dallas, TX
Manual winding; openface; nickel finish; lever set; 21 jewel. 10k yellow gold filled case keystone J. Boss 16s (51mm diameter). White enamel double sunk dial with subseconds. Pre-ow...
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Illinois 10k Gold Fill Pocket Watch Manual Wind
Located in Surfside, FL
Illinois Elvinar pocket watch in 10k gold fill. Triple sunk white porcelain dial with bold Arabic numerals and sub-seconds. 21 jewel manual wind movement. 50 mm Wadsworth case signed...
10k Gold, Gold-filled
Illinois 10k Yellow Gold Pocket Watch, Case, Manual, Ref 4742166
Located in Surfside, FL
Gents Illinois pocket watch in 10k. Manual. Ref 4742166. Fine Pre-owned Illinois Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Illinois pocket watch watch. This Illinois watch has a 43.2 mm cas...
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Illinois Yellow Gold-Filled Railroad-Grade Bunn Special Pocket Watch
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Illinois yellow gold-filled railroad-grade Bunn Special pocket watch.
Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Illinois Bunn Special 21 Jewel 60 Hour Railroad Watch, circa 1920s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage 1920’s Illinois Bunn Special 60 hour railroad grade pocket watch.
Gold-filled
$649
D 0.39 in Dm 1.97 in L 2.56 in
1905 Antique Waltham Gold Filled 15 Jewels Open Face Pocket Watch Working Condit
By Waltham
Located in Honolulu, HI
An exceptional antique American pocket watch by the renowned Waltham Watch Company, produced in 1905. This classic 16-size open-face watch features a pristine white enamel dial with ...
Gold-filled
Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral Engraving, circa 1907
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 6 Size METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1907 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 41mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / ...
Gold-filled
Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch from 1923 with Matching Chain
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Open Faced METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1923 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 44mm MOVEMENT / CALI...
Gold-filled
Longines for Birks Open Faced Pocket Watch with Original Dial, circa 1921
By Birks
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines for Birks of Canada STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1921 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diamete...
Rolex Hunter's Case Yellow Gold Filled Pocket Watch circa 1920's Flawless Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company for Dunkling's STYLE / REFERENCE: Hunter's Case Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diamet...
Gold-filled
I.W.C. International Watch Company Art Deco Open Faced Pocket Watch, circa 1930s
By IWC
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: International Watch Company, Schaffhausen STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / ...
Antique 1910s Edwardian Tiffany Co. Pocket Watch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and blue enamel. Signed by Tiffany & Co. Circa 1910s Watch 1 1/2 x 1 inches Chain 23 inches + 3 inch drop
18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Waltham Amn. Watch Co. Grade 18k Yellow Gold 16j Size 8s Pocket Watch
By Waltham
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely gorgeous, antique American Waltham pocket watch featuring a solid 18k gold case. The case is magnificently hand etched with floral patterns throughout. The...
Yellow Gold
Howard 14Kt. Solid White Gold Art Deco Pocket Watch with Kiln Fired Enamel Dial
By Howard
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Howard Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1925 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 46mm MOVEMENT / CALI...
14k Gold
M.J Tobias Oversized Silver Key Wind Pocket Watch circa 1840's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: M.J Tobias STYLE / REFERENCE: Hunters Case Key Wind METAL / MATERIAL: Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1840's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 57mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Key Win...
Silver
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
Circa 1891 Beautiful Antique Elgin Pocket Watch 14k Solid Gold Case w/White Dial
By Elgin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1891 Beautiful Antique Elgin Pocket Watch w/ Ornate Cobalt Blue Hands & Dedicated Second Dial 14k Solid Gold Case w/ Beautiful Colored Engraving on Both Sides Black Arabic Nume...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
$365
W 1.9 in D 0.4 in L 2.5 in
Standard Watch Co. Hunter's Gold Plated Pocket Watch with Engraved Detailing
Located in New York, NY
This remarkable Hunter’s pocket watch by Standard Watch Co., crafted in America circa 1920, is a stunning example of early 20th-century horology and refined craftsmanship. The case i...
Gold Plate
c. 1890 Victorian Rose Gold-Filled Pocket Watch Case Locke
Located in Honolulu, HI
An exquisite antique late Victorian pocket watch style locket, dating to circa 1890. The case is crafted from a warm, rose-toned gold-filled metal, featuring a classic ribbed watch-t...
Gold-filled
Antique Big OpenFace Silver Pocket Watch by Waltham American Watch Co (A.W.W.Co)
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Antique Unusually Large OpenFace Sterling Silver Pocket Watch by Waltham American Watch Co (A.W.W. Co) featuring a big - 58mm - 925 Sterling Silver case, case back is detailed wit...
Silver
Longines 14Kt Yellow Gold Decagonal Pocket Watch, Circa 1920s
By Longines
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Case number 1535971, made 1920’s 14...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Waltham Model 1907 No. 161 0s Pocket Watch 14k Gold Diamond Hunter Case
By Waltham
Located in Montclair, NJ
This petite and classy antique Waltham pocket watch features a solid 14k yellow gold double full hunter case made by Lambert Bros. The case is adorned with an elegant floral design t...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Longines Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Longines
Located in Berlin, DE
High quality collector's pocket watch by Longines. Including original case. Hallmarked, 18k gold. Extremely rare collector's watch. The clock works. Dial unfortunately damaged betw...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Ladies Hunter Elgin 4 Color Gold Pocket Watch and 18k Gold Chain
By Elgin
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Antique 14k four color gold hunter case pocket watch made by the Elgin Company around 1908 (based on movement serial # 13333340) features an elaborately decorated 14 c...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Omega 1970s Presentation Pocket Watch for United States Steel
By Omega
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Omega Presentation Poket Watch for United States Steel, 44 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece case, 17 Jewel, Mechanical, Manual wind movement. Silver Dial with Raised stick ma...
Steel
Waltham Open Faced Gold Filled Pocket Watch Flawless Kiln Fired Enamel Dial 1892
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 18 Size METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1892 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 55mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual ...
French 1960s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flamor Ladies Pocket Watch Pendant
Located in Poitiers, FR
Pendant watch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Vintage pocket watch, the case is round and engraved with plant motifs all around. The back is gold-plated, engraved, and ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Centure 1970s Yellow Gold Manual Wind Wrist watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Cartier Paris Centure Collection Wrist Watch, 18k Yellow Gold 27 X 27 M.M. 2 Piece stepped case. 17 jewel mechanical, manual wind movement. White Dial with Black Roman nu...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,995
H 2 in W 1.03 in D 0.44 in Dm 1.03 in L 2 in
Waltham 1886 Riverside Size 0s Hunting Pocket Watch In 18Kt Gold With Diamond
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Pocket watch designed by Waltham. Beautiful hunting pocket watch, created in Massachusetts United States by the A.W Waltham Watch Company, circa 1886-1887. This piece is one of the ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
A Gold Full Hunter Quarter Repeater Calendar Chronograph Pocket Watch C1900
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k Yellow Gold Full Hunter Chronograph Calendar Quarter Repeater Keyless Lever Pocket Watch, C1900's. Dial: A white enamel dial with roman numerals and outer tachymeter minute t...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare & Historic Rose Gold Enamelled Pivoted Detente Hunter Pocket Watch, C1880
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An Historic and Rare Rose Gold Enamelled Keyless Pivoted Detente Cronometre Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1880. Dial: The excellent white enamel dial with Roman Numerals, outer minute t...
Rose Gold, Enamel
Elgin B.W. Raymond Pocket Watch 21 Jewels, Gold Filled
By Elgin
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Elgin B.W. Raymond open face pocket watch. 10k gold filled case. Size 16, 21 jewels with 8 adjustments. Model 20, grade 571, 3/4 plate, serial number N804928. Time tested for 8 hours...
10k Gold, Gold-filled
$3,750
H 2.7 in W 0.5 in Dm 2 in
Antique 14k Solid Yellow Gold Waltham Pocket Watch Keystone Hunter Case Monogram
By Waltham
Located in Greer, SC
Beautifully crafted antique Waltham pocket watch in a stunning solid 14k yellow gold hunters case by Keystone (for repair). This pocket watch is circa late 1800's to early 1900's and...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
XIX Century Open-Face Gold Pocket Watch R. Stewart
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
XIX Century Open-face Gold Pocket Watch R. STEWART, Argyle & Buchanan Sts., Glasgow, #16044. Beautiful 43m/1.69in gold case with a thorough ornamental floral engraving with vegetatio...
Ruby, Gold
$22,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.38 in W 2.13 in
Rare Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Travel Clock, Mid-20th Century
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This compact, 18K yellow gold, Van Cleef and Arpels travel clock is a unique piece of vintage luxury. At its heart is a Movado Ermetophon alarm movement inside the exquisitely crafte...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate
Waltham 14Kt Multi Colored 16 Size Hunters Case Pocket Watch from 1907
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 16 Size Multi Colored Hunters Case / Crescent Street METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold Multi Colored CIRCA / YEAR: 1907 DIME...
Gold
1968 Omega Saemaster Chronograph Yellow Gold Leather Strap
By Omega
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
1968 Omega Saemaster Chronograph Yellow Gold 37mm leather strap with box. Mechanical manual wind Case Number 27710112 17 rubies, all original condition weight 76gr leather strap ne...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Howard 14 Karat Solid White Gold Opened Faced Pocket Watch, circa 1920s
By E. Howard & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Howard Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 10 Size METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt. Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 43mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: M...
White Gold
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Can you pull off a vintage pocket watch? Of course you can. With a suit and a waistcoat, a pocket watch can be a refreshing alternative to a wristwatch.
The earliest pocket watches were luxury items, and, owing to cost, they weren’t commonplace until the 19th century. Artfully crafted pocket watches were a symbol of wealth, and manufacturers such as Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe became known for theirs. (Today, they’re among the most sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.)
At the onset, pocket watches resembled small round table clocks, and pulling your small round table clock — perhaps of the silver variety — out of your breast pocket in front of someone else demonstrated unequivocally that you cared about punctuality. For collectors, pocket watches are big, and that means a larger canvas provided for functions without crowding the dial. For example, the Marius Lecoultre pocket watch — made circa 1890 — does everything but uncork your wine.
In the late 1800s, the open-face pocket watch became a staple on the American railroad. It was a requirement for railway workers to wear a pocket watch, as the timepieces were responsible for keeping conductors on schedule. This was a boon to the watchmaking industry, with companies like Hamilton, the Elgin National Watch Company and the Waltham Watch Company producing high-grade and workingman’s watches.
By the 1930s, wristwatches comprised the bulk of watch manufacturing in America, superseding the pocket watch. Suddenly, if you wanted to know the time, you merely glanced at your wrist. But given their vintage charm and our general appetite for good design, pocket watches are a piece of statement-making jewelry and today can prove complementary to your formal attire in a manner that is stylish and unconventional.
Let time take its course — browse a vast selection of antique and vintage pocket watches available on 1stDibs designed by legendary brands such as IWC, Cartier and more.
A fresh palette of dial colors and technological advances have elevated this classic watch model.
The elegant timepiece, which was designed more than a century ago, is garnering new interest thanks to a certain TV show.
The watch has transformed several times over, but it’s still undeniably a classic.
This is perhaps the least subtle version of the Submariner.
If you think this looks like the Rolex Kermit, you're correct.
This all-green version of the Submariner is much sought-after.
This model was designed for lefties.
This model's other nickname, Pussy Galore, come from a James Bond film.