Pocket watches were the primary timekeeping device for centuries, with origins dating back to the 16th century. In the early days, pocket watches were large and cumbersome, and only the wealthy elite could afford them. However, over time, advances in technology made them smaller and more accessible to the masses.

The earliest pocket watches were made with a simple mechanism consisting of a mainspring, an escapement, and a balance wheel. The mainspring provided power to the watch, while the escapement regulated the movement of the watch hands, and the balance wheel ensured accuracy. These watches were usually worn around the neck or carried in a pocket, and they were often adorned with elaborate designs and engravings.

In the 18th century, the pocket watch became more popular, and many watchmakers began to experiment with new designs and mechanisms. One of the most significant developments was the introduction of the lever escapement, more...

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Swiss 19th century: open face calendar pocket watch with…

19th Century Swiss Moonphase Pocket Watch in Gun Metal Case

Swiss 19th century: open face calendar pocket watch with moonphase, in a gun metal case. Working when tested. Diameter 51 mm

.925 silver Swiss open faced Hebdomas Patent pocket watch,…

.925 silver Swiss open faced Hebdomas Patent pocket watch, white enamel face with hours in blue cartouches, flanked by calendar dials above a visible lever escapement.

A Swiss double dial silver pocket watch, circa 1900, crown wind…

Swiss Silver Pocket Watch: Double Dial, Full Calendar, Moon Face

A Swiss double dial silver pocket watch, circa 1900, crown wind pin set with full calendar moon face to the reverse to a silver case, 49 mm diameter

A large Swiss 8-day nickel cased pocket watch, the enamel dial…

Swiss 8-Day Pocket Watch with Moon Phase Indicator

A large Swiss 8-day nickel cased pocket watch, the enamel dial with large Roman numerals and three subsidiary dials, one including calendar and moon phase indicators. Diameter 68 mm.

Rare French triple dial 'Courvoisier & Comp' nickel case pocket…

Rare French Triple Dial Pocket Watch with Silver Cockplate

Rare French triple dial 'Courvoisier & Comp' nickel case pocket watch, verge fusee and chain drive movement silver engraved cockplate with end-stone. White enamel face with small Roman and Arabic dials, along with calendar dial with key. Provenance: The…

Early 19th century nickel cased open faced pocket watch marked…

Nickel cased pocket watch by Esquivilion & Dechoudan

Early 19th century nickel cased open faced pocket watch marked 'Esquivilion & Dechoudan' 51 mm case, fusee verge movement, signed dial and movement, white enamel dial, small chip by winder, Arabic numerals and railtrack minutes, Breguet hands, calendar…

Early 19th century silver consular cased pocket watch, by M.G.…

19th Century Silver Pocket Watch by Ghiesbreght

Early 19th century silver consular cased pocket watch, by M.G. Ghiesbreght a Bruxelles, signed fusee verge movement, signed white dial with central calendar chapter. 56 mm dia. With key.

Late 19th century Swiss .935 silver open face chronometer…

Swiss Silver Chronometer Pocket Watch with Engravings

Late 19th century Swiss .935 silver open face chronometer pocket watch, stem wind movement with lever escapement, marked 'The Ascot', dust cover presentation engraved. Back cover monogrammed. 53 mm dia. White enamel dial with centre seconds, subs calendar…

Rare gun metal cased dual dial 'Calendrier Brevete' pocket…

Rare Dual Dial Pocket Watch by J Verhagen & Co

Rare gun metal cased dual dial 'Calendrier Brevete' pocket watch by J Verhagen & Co Koeln, (Cologne), c.1890, AS-IS. Front with white enamel face (hairline and chip) with moon phase aperture (lacking moon panel and loose gear wheel) to centre of signed…

A late 17th century Mercier Astronomical verge pair cased watch,…

Mercier Astronomical Verge Watch, Late 17th Century

A late 17th century Mercier Astronomical verge pair cased watch, the frosted gilt chain fusee movement with finely pierced and engraved cock and foot secured by one screw, with the tail to the edge of the top-plate, other pierced and engraved furniture…

A large Open-Face pocket watch, with subdial and moon phase,…

Moon Phase Pocket Watch with Calendar

A large Open-Face pocket watch, with subdial and moon phase, calendar to verso. 935 silver case. Diameter 53 mm.

An open faced Tri dial calendar pocket watch, yellow gold…

Georgian Tri Dial Calendar Pocket Watch by John Howard London

An open faced Tri dial calendar pocket watch, yellow gold plated case and inner case. Georgian, outer case unmarked. Inner case engraved John Howard London 733, Movement engraved John Howard London 733 fusee verge Sub seconds and calendar Tri dial. Key…

A silver quarter repeater full calendar moonphase pocket,…

Sterling Silver Moonphase Pocket Watch with Repeater

A silver quarter repeater full calendar moonphase pocket, sterling silver, open faced with four sub dials, side winding, Swiss case hallmarked 9357079 3, movement unmarked full calendar moon phase quarter repeater, total weight: 132.1 grams

An 18ct gold triple calendar watch with moon phase case 162246…

18ct Gold Triple Calendar Moon Phase Watch

An 18ct gold triple calendar watch with moon phase case 162246 Swiss circa 1900, gilt 3/4 plate lever movement, white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, black outer 1/5th second track, foliate hands, subsidiary dials at 3, 6, 9 and 12 for running…

Johan Mich Widman a Fridberg An 18ct gold open-faced quarter…

18ct Gold Quarter Repeating Watch by Johan Mich Widman

Johan Mich Widman a Fridberg An 18ct gold open-faced quarter repeating watch Continental circa 1810, gilt full plate movement, signed Johan Mich Widman a Fridberg, verge fusee escapement, pierced balance cock, cylindrical pillars, white enamel dial,…

A 14ct gold double face calendar pocket watch, front with white…

Double Face Calendar Pocket Watch in 14ct Gold

A 14ct gold double face calendar pocket watch, front with white dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds (missing minute hand), rear with skeleton movement, white outer rim indicating day and date (missing bezel and glass), Swiss movement and case with…

Arbutus (New York) watch new with luminescent hands, dials for…

Arbutus New York Watch with Luminescent Hands and Dials

Arbutus (New York) watch new with luminescent hands, dials for calendar, seconds and 24 hour time

A George III silver pair cased pocket watch, 1810, hallmarked…

1810 George III Silver Pocket Watch with Calendar

A George III silver pair cased pocket watch, 1810, hallmarked Birmingham with verge fusee and chain drive movement with calendar, signed J Luckman, Bickenhill N.1839. Engraved and pierced gilt cockplate. Enamel dial in good order. Diameter 55 mm.

A good Swiss gold plated 'Cortebert' calendar pocket watch,…

Gold Plated Cortebert Pocket Watch with Moonphase & Date

A good Swiss gold plated 'Cortebert' calendar pocket watch, triple dial with date and Moonphase, c.1980. Silvered dial. Diameter 47 mm.

An Edwardian period Swiss Gunmetal calendar pocket watch, with…

Swiss Gunmetal Calendar Pocket Watch with Moonphase Dial

An Edwardian period Swiss Gunmetal calendar pocket watch, with day, date, month Moonphase enamel dial (some restoration). Anchor escapement. Diameter 51 mm.

A rare French triple dial 'Courvoisier & Comp' nickel case…

Rare French Triple Dial Pocket Watch with Verge Fusee Movement

A rare French triple dial 'Courvoisier & Comp' nickel case pocket watch, with verge fusee and chain drive movement silver engraved cockplate with end-stone. Roman and arabic sub dials with calendar.

A large Russian Market Goliath calendar pocket watch, 8 day,…

Russian Moonphase Pocket Watch with Leather Display Case

A large Russian Market Goliath calendar pocket watch, 8 day, date, moonphase lever movement with nickel case. Leather display case with gilt inscription on satin in cyrillic. Diameter 70 mm.

A French 18ct gold minute repeater triple calendar pocket watch;…

18ct Gold Minute Repeater Triple Calendar Pocket Watch

A French 18ct gold minute repeater triple calendar pocket watch; the half hunter case signed Le Roys & Fils, No. 45235, with blue enamel Roman numerals on the front cover, white porcelian dial with day and date subsidiary dials, month aperture at 12oclock…