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

Lafayette 1/5 second stop watch Swiss made, marked antimagnetic.…

Lafayette Swiss Made Antimagnetic Chrome Case 48mm Stop Watch

Lafayette 1/5 second stop watch Swiss made, marked antimagnetic. Chrome case, 48 mm diameter case. Working when tested.

Open face military gun metal pocket watch C:1920, stem wind. 50…

1920s Military Gun Metal Pocket Watch, 50mm, Working Condition

Open face military gun metal pocket watch C:1920, stem wind. 50 mm diameter case. Working when tested

Open faced pocket watch in gun metal case Swiss made, seconds…

Swiss Made Gun Metal Open Faced Pocket Watch, Not Working

Open faced pocket watch in gun metal case Swiss made, seconds hand missing, not working. Case 49 mm diameter. Movement marked B&Co.

Yachting timer Excelsior park watch in a steel case. Working…

Yachting Timer Excelsior Park Watch in Steel Case Working

Yachting timer Excelsior park watch in a steel case. Working when tested

A WWII Hamilton Watch Co. pocket watch in USA 'Navigational…

A WWII Hamilton Watch Co. pocket watch in USA 'Navigational Case', open black face, named 22 jewel movement, Dia.5.1 cm. The back cover engraved 'AN 5740 MFR'S PART NO. 4992B ... HAMILTON WATCH CO.', the spring gimballed grey painted steel case with…

Girard-Perregaux skeletonized pocket watch, for Shell Oil Co.,…

Girard-Perregaux skeletonized pocket watch, for Shell Oil Co., c.1939 made as an product promotion for Shell, chrome case, skeleton dial with black chapter ring. Plates reputedly referencing n oil rig layout. Signed 7 jewel movement

A Rolex British military pocket watch, Circular white enamel…

A Rolex British military pocket watch, Circular white enamel dial with painted black Arabic numerals and subsidiary dial at six, nickel plated case, case stamped B 11288, presented in a leather travelling case.

A Ullysse Nardin deck watch, 1957, in original fitted inner and…

Ullysse Nardin 1957 Deck Watch with Original Box and Certificate

A Ullysse Nardin deck watch, 1957, in original fitted inner and outer box, serial number 124743, with original rating certificate, circa 1957, crown wind pin set, to a nickel chrome case, white enamel dial, fully jewelled, the dial 6 cm diameter, the…

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.

Late 19th century open face pocket watch with ivory back and…

Ivory Open-Face Pocket Watch with Detent Escapement

Late 19th century open face pocket watch with ivory back and band, 47 mm case. White enamel dial, Roman numerals, minute indices, subs seconds dial at VI, blued steel Breguet hands. Pivoted detent escapement.

WWII military, nickel cased, open face navigational chronograph…

Hamilton WWII Military Chronograph Pocket Watch

WWII military, nickel cased, open face navigational chronograph pocket watch by Hamilton Watch Co. AN5742-1. High grade military timepiece with lever escapement chronograph movement, patent 37297. Black dial, Arabic numerals, rail track seconds and 300…

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…

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…

Jaeger-Lecoultre World War I period pocket watch with black…

WWI Jaeger-Lecoultre Pocket Watch with Broad Arrow Mark

Jaeger-Lecoultre World War I period pocket watch with black dial and steel case, reverse engraved 'G.S.T.P.233172 XX' with broad arrow mark, 6.5 cm high including crown

Triangular Masonic watch, circa 1920s, mother of pearl face,…

Masonic Watch with Mother of Pearl Face and Icons

Triangular Masonic watch, circa 1920s, mother of pearl face, blued steel hands, icons on dial, 0.800 standard, in good working order, 37 grams, 4 cm x 5 cm

Talis watch Co a nickel plated Goliath openface pocketwatch…

Talis Watch Co. Goliath Pocketwatch with Erotic Scene

Talis watch Co a nickel plated Goliath openface pocketwatch with concealed erotic scene Swiss circa 1900, dial: white, Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds, movement: Swiss lever escapement, 15 jewels, case: plain, the cuvette engraved with erotic scene,…

Omega pocket watch. Nickel cased, enamel dial with Arabic…

Omega Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial and Dent on Back

Omega pocket watch. Nickel cased, enamel dial with Arabic numerals marked Omega Nswtd. Face has hairlines and restoration. Back of case heavily dented, engraved L8248. Clean 15 jewel movement. Running.

Jaeger Lecoultre skeleton pocket watch in brass porthole case,…

Jaeger Lecoultre Skeleton Pocket Watch in Brass Porthole Case

Jaeger Lecoultre skeleton pocket watch in brass porthole case, the case 12 cm diameter

Jaeger-Lecoultre World War I period pocket watch with black…

WWI Jaeger-Lecoultre Pocket Watch with Broad Arrow Mark

Jaeger-Lecoultre World War I period pocket watch with black dial and steel case, reverse engraved 'G.S.T.P.233172 XX' with broad arrow mark, 6.5 cm high including crown

A Goliath pocket watch by Ingram Brothers, Melbourne, Swiss…

Ingram Brothers Goliath Pocket Watch

A Goliath pocket watch by Ingram Brothers, Melbourne, Swiss lever movement nickel plated case, white enamel dial, crown wind, pin set with large Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, blued hands, the dial marked 'Ingram Brothers', Melbourne, 7.5 cm diameter

Cartier A platinum and diamond-set open face pocket watch,…

Cartier Platinum Diamond Pocket Watch, Circa 1930

Cartier A platinum and diamond-set open face pocket watch, circa 1930. Dial white enamel with black Roman numerals and blued steel moon hands. Movement manual winding, 18 jewel movement with eight adjustments. Case brushed platinum slim case with…

A World War II Hamilton Watch Co. USA Navigation Master pocket…

1942 Hamilton Navigation Master Pocket Watch

A World War II Hamilton Watch Co. USA Navigation Master pocket watch, dated 1942. with white enamel dial, Arabic numerals, minute divisions with numerals every five minutes, blued steel spade hands, signed and with military broad arrow. 22 jewel stem-wind…

Ladies antique gunmetal watch and chain unmarked mechanical…

Antique Gunmetal Watch & Chain, Mechanical, Not Running

Ladies antique gunmetal watch and chain unmarked mechanical watch not running, heart form case size 30 x 32 mm, chain length 36 cm ex tassle

Waltham watch Co binnacle chronometer in a mahogany and brass…

Waltham Binnacle Chronometer in Mahogany Box

Waltham watch Co binnacle chronometer in a mahogany and brass bound box with double hinged lids and makers plaque to the front

Waltham 14ct hunter cased lever wind large pocket watch full…

Engraved Waltham Hunter Pocket Watch with Ornate Designs

Waltham 14ct hunter cased lever wind large pocket watch full engraved steel plate signed P Jj Bartlett #9538455. Pink and white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and seconds movement, ornate covers chased with bird, shield and flowers

A rare weather watch forecasting pocket barometer by Negretti &…

Negretti & Zambra Pocket Barometer, c.1920

A rare weather watch forecasting pocket barometer by Negretti & Zambra, No R/105 c.1920, the 2' silvered dial with three concentric scales, set by rotating the front and rear bezels and the crown winder. The resultant readings appearing in alphabetical…

A Waltham hunter 14-carat pocket watch, USA, 1909, 15 jewel…

Waltham Hunter Pocket Watch, USA, 1909

A Waltham hunter 14-carat pocket watch, USA, 1909, 15 jewel movement, enamelled dial with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds with blue steel hands, 47 mm diameter

A Longines Cfr railway open faced pocket watch, circa 1900,…

Longines Railway Pocket Watch, 1900

A Longines Cfr railway open faced pocket watch, circa 1900, nickel plated case, 15 jewel movement, enamel dial with Arabic numerals, 24-hour markings, plain blue steel hands, 51 mm diameter

Antique brass spherical soldiers watch, made in Switzerland

Swiss-made Antique Brass Soldier's Sphere Watch

Antique brass spherical soldiers watch, made in Switzerland

Brass cased centre seconds chronograph Swiss made, retailed by…

Swiss Chronograph by Dorey Lester & Co. Kilburn

Brass cased centre seconds chronograph Swiss made, retailed by Dorey Lester & Co. Kilburn, cylinder escapement, ticks but needs service

An early 20th century Rolex steel cased pocket watch, the open…

Early 20th Century Rolex Pocket Watch, Working Condition

An early 20th century Rolex steel cased pocket watch, the open face with white enamel dial, Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds, apparently working,

Argentan Goliath Swiss made pocket watch, nickel silvered…

Swiss Made Argentan Goliath Pocket Watch - 9cm Diameter Face

Argentan Goliath Swiss made pocket watch, nickel silvered finish with white enamelled face and seconds movement large 9 cm face diameter

An early 20th century Omega gent's pocket watch, the white…

Omega Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial and Chain

An early 20th century Omega gent's pocket watch, the white metal open face with a white enamel dial. apparently working, with chain.

Georg Jensen bangle watch By Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube, marked…

Georg Jensen Bangle Watch by Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube

Georg Jensen bangle watch By Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube, marked Georg Jensen Torun 227 Stainless steel. Mechanical wind movement working when tested. Approx dial size 33 mm, inside width of bangle 56 mm (with swivel hinge and hook clasp). Box included

A Swiss made Goliath pocket watch, 7 cm dia. nickel plated case,…

Swiss Goliath Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial

A Swiss made Goliath pocket watch, 7 cm dia. nickel plated case, stem wind 15 jewel movement, enamel dial with Roman numerals, railtrack minutes, subs-seconds at VI, working.

Antique pocket watch, with a white dial A/f, manual stem wind…

Antique Gun Metal Pocket Watch with White Dial A/F

Antique pocket watch, with a white dial A/f, manual stem wind movement. Approx gun metal case 50 mm

A Fenchurch lever, Swiss pocket watch, white dial, black Arabic…

Swiss Fenchurch Pocket Watch with White Dial and Steel Case

A Fenchurch lever, Swiss pocket watch, white dial, black Arabic numerals and hands, second subsidiary dial, steel case

A Hebdomas 8 day open face pocket watch, round dial with oval…

Hebdomas 8-Day Open Face Pocket Watch on Snake Chain

A Hebdomas 8 day open face pocket watch, round dial with oval time track, exposed escapement, stem wind and set, nickel plated case dim. 60 mm, on a snake chain.

A vintage Omega open face pocket watch, in stainless steel with…

1946 Omega Pocket Watch with 2-Tone Dial

A vintage Omega open face pocket watch, in stainless steel with 2 tone dial, subsidiary seconds, 15 jewel manual movement, case diam. 46 mm, C - 1946.

Rotary Super 41 Rotamatic circa 1960s, 25 jewel mechanic…

Rotary Super 41 Stainless Steel Watch with Ivory Dial

Rotary Super 41 Rotamatic circa 1960s, 25 jewel mechanic movement in 3.4 cm stainless steel case. Ivory colour engine turned dial with applied tapered steel batons and date window at 3 o'clock. Watch working when tested

An early 20th century Hamilton open face pocket watch, chrome…

Hamilton Chrome Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial

An early 20th century Hamilton open face pocket watch, chrome case, the enamel dial with Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds. Diameter 5.5 cm.

German Jugendstil brass fob watch stand, engraved garland…

Jugendstil Brass Fob Watch Stand with Garland Decoration

German Jugendstil brass fob watch stand, engraved garland decoration, marked ' Geschutzt,' to base, (height 10 cm).

Vintage chrome cased pocket watch marked 'Zenith' to dial, with…

Zenith Chrome Pocket Watch with Horse Engraving

Vintage chrome cased pocket watch marked 'Zenith' to dial, with chrome case decorated with engraved image of a horse and rider, appears to be operational

Brass and enamel ladies pocket watch open white face with roman…

Blue Enamel Ladies Pocket Watch with Roman Numerals

Brass and enamel ladies pocket watch open white face with roman numerals. Guilloche blue enamel. 29 mm diameter. Working when tested.

Omega military pocket watch in nickel plated case, back stamped…

Omega Military Pocket Watch, GSTP Y23139, 5cm Diameter

Omega military pocket watch in nickel plated case, back stamped 'G.S.T.P. (Y23139), 5 cm diameter

A Swiss made goliath pocket watch, 7 cm dia. nickel plated case,…

Swiss Goliath Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial

A Swiss made goliath pocket watch, 7 cm dia. nickel plated case, stem wind 15 jewel movement, enamel dial with Roman numerals, railtrack minutes, subs-seconds at VI.

Boer war period pocket watch nickel plated open face lever wind…

Military Marked Pocket Watch from Boer War Era

Boer war period pocket watch nickel plated open face lever wind with military marking to back plate and cover D 161560

A nickel open-faced jump hour watch Continental circa 1890,…

Jump Hour Watch with Floral Dial and Chain

A nickel open-faced jump hour watch Continental circa 1890, nickel lever movement, silvered dial applied with floral stem decoration, jump hour aperture at 12, the minute aperture at 6 above a subsidiary seconds dial, plain polished case, diameter 50 mm.…

Modern skeleton fob watch, Stainless steel case with open…

Stainless Steel Skeleton Fob Watch

Modern skeleton fob watch, Stainless steel case with open window to dial and reverse. Manual wind movement was working when tested

Thomas Sabo pocket watch, with fleur de lis design to front of…

Fleur de Lis Pocket Watch by Thomas Sabo

Thomas Sabo pocket watch, with fleur de lis design to front of stainless steel case. Anti reflective glass. Quartz movement needs a battery

Antique Goliath moon phase pocket watch, phoenix Indestructible,…

Antique Swiss Moon Phase Pocket Watch, 1886

Antique Goliath moon phase pocket watch, phoenix Indestructible, Swiss made dated 1886;Keyless movement, nickel plated brass. Enamel dial with apertures, 7 cm Dia

A watch by Dolce & Gabbana, styled with cwhite face, bands set…

D&G White Stone Watch

A watch by Dolce & Gabbana, styled with cwhite face, bands set with clear stones in white metal

A white metal pocket watch, quartz movement

Quartz Pocket Watch in Sleek White Metal

A white metal pocket watch, quartz movement

ATC repeater pocket watch, in chrome case, with stop watch…

Non-functioning chrome pocket watch with stop watch function

ATC repeater pocket watch, in chrome case, with stop watch function. Hands appear replaced, watch ticks, but hands do not move.

Heuer chrome Microsplit stop watch, not working

Non-functional Heuer Microsplit Stopwatch

Heuer chrome Microsplit stop watch, not working

A Bucherer cocktail watch, the dial with cover, marcasite on…

Bucherer Marcasite Cocktail Watch with Dial Cover

A Bucherer cocktail watch, the dial with cover, marcasite on steel

Open face brass pocket watch

Brass Pocket Watch - Open Face Design

Open face brass pocket watch

Roamer ladies watch, Swiss made, mineral crystal, stainless…

Roamer Swiss Ladies Watch in Stainless Steel Box

Roamer ladies watch, Swiss made, mineral crystal, stainless steel, in the box

A unusual gunmetal buttonhole watch, with white dial and Arabic…

Gunmetal Buttonhole Watch with White Dial and Arabic Numerals

A unusual gunmetal buttonhole watch, with white dial and Arabic numerals, diameter 30 mm, working, main case in poor condition

A timber boxed vintage pocket timepiece, mid 20th century, the…

Vintage Hamilton Pocket Timepiece with Timber Box

A timber boxed vintage pocket timepiece, mid 20th century, the white metal Hamilton & Co. Timepiece with second and minute dials upon a black face; inscribed with serial numbers and parts details to the reverse. Diameter 5 cm

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.

An Art Deco platinum and diamond ladies cocktail watch, c.…

Platinum Diamond Cocktail Watch, Art Deco Era

An Art Deco platinum and diamond ladies cocktail watch, c.1920-1930's, mechanical movement, silvered dial with 'Blued Steel' hands. Diamond set to bezel and watch lugs. Platinum case. Width 21 mm

Gun metal cased pocket watch with day-of-week, date, month and…

Gun Metal Moon Phase Pocket Watch with Calendar Features

Gun metal cased pocket watch with day-of-week, date, month and moon phase indication

Vintage Services chrome pocket watch as new in box with…

Vintage Chrome Pocket Watch in Box with Price Ticket

Vintage Services chrome pocket watch as new in box with original price ticket

A steel Junghans U boat stop watch circa 1930's with German…

1930's German Steel U-Boat Stop Watch with Insignia

A steel Junghans U boat stop watch circa 1930's with German insignia on reverse

Two antique novelty fob watch stands one of cast brass in the…

Antique Anchor and Wood Fob Watch Stands

Two antique novelty fob watch stands one of cast brass in the form of an anchor; the other constructed from turned wood, the largest 15.5 cm high

Emporio Armani Stainless steel watch, as inspected

Armani Stainless Steel Watch Inspection

Emporio Armani Stainless steel watch, as inspected

A Swiss Gubelin Breitschmid Lucerne watch button, boxed, the…

Swiss Gubelin Breitschmid Lucerne Watch in Box

A Swiss Gubelin Breitschmid Lucerne watch button, boxed, the green gun metal case with protruding guilloch watch face

Repeater: fine Swiss pocket watch in gun metal case, c1890s

Gun Metal Swiss Pocket Watch, c1890s

Repeater: fine Swiss pocket watch in gun metal case, c1890s

A chrome stop watch and a petite travelling alarm clock, circa…

Vintage Chrome Stopwatch and Travel Alarm Clock Set

A chrome stop watch and a petite travelling alarm clock, circa third quarter 20th century, the vintage Breitling Geneve chrome stop watch having a white dial, Arabic numerals and a secondary dial; the petite Swiss made Louis Rossel polished and brushed…

Elgin railway pocket watch c.1930, top wind manual movement,…

Elgin Railway Pocket Watch with Locomotive Scene

Elgin railway pocket watch c.1930, top wind manual movement, with subsidiary second hand dial white metal case with engraved pictorial locomotive scene verso. Diameter 48 mm

Swiss Chronometer pocket watch. Unbranded, white enamel face in…

Swiss Chronometer Pocket Watch with Split Seconds

Swiss Chronometer pocket watch. Unbranded, white enamel face in blued steel case. Split seconds to 30 minutes. Running, unserviced. Minute recorder not working

World War I military issue Juvenea pocket watch. Non-luminous…

WWI Military Juvenea Pocket Watch - Non-Luminous Black Face

World War I military issue Juvenea pocket watch. Non-luminous black face. Nickel case with arrow mark. A/F

An Elgin open face pocket watch with Australian Flying Corps,…

Elgin AFC Pocket Watch with Winged Insignia

An Elgin open face pocket watch with Australian Flying Corps, the nickel plated body with enamel dial and Roman numerals, screw back and front, with winged Australian Flying Corps Club insignia to the back

Large gun metal pocket watch with enamel dial Swiss bar…

Blue Enamel Swiss Pocket Watch with Gunmetal Finish

Large gun metal pocket watch with enamel dial Swiss bar movement. Runs. Numerals in blue enamel cartouches

Large gun metal pocket watch Swiss bar movement with lever…

Swiss Gun Metal Pocket Watch with Lever Escapement

Large gun metal pocket watch Swiss bar movement with lever escapement. Runs