The pocket watch thread…show us a glimpse of the past 🤗

[Karbon74]

Gen or reps welcome!



Let me start.
I always wanted one of those.

I bought a suit and it happened to have a pocket watch chain…I needed just that excuse to get me this very nice Omega.

 

[1016_idiot_savant]

Great idea for a thread! Mine is a birth year Molnija from 1964, one of the last with Geneva striping.

Molnija pocket watches have a storied history that spans over seven decades. Founded in 1947 in Chelyabinsk, Russia, the Molnija Clock and Watch Factory initially produced a diverse range of timepieces, including wristwatches, pocket watches, desk clocks, and military equipment. Over time, the company shifted its focus to pocket watches, which have become synonymous with Molnija's reputation for quality and reliability.

One of the key factors contributing to Molnija's success is the use of high-quality movements. In the early years, the company ”replicated” movements from Cortebert, a renowned Swiss movement manufacturer that also supplied movements to Rolex and by extension Panerai. This allowed Molnija to incorporate reliable and accurate movements into their pocket watches.

 

[1016_idiot_savant]

On my to-do list - a Tissot based 6610 or 1016 pocket watch



The plan is to print a dial overlay… the challenge is to find (or make?) oversized Mercedes hands…

 

[Karbon74]

 

[Atherton]

Not much info on it, internet is vague about years of production.

They both belonged to my father,
2 lovely pocket watch

 

[KJ2020]

Pretty much a department store cheapie. But it's decades old and still runs.

Just the other day I was thinking about getting a really nice one and modding it somehow. This one has a 33mm dial, plenty of those available on AliX for a nice fantasy watch.

 

[Karbon74]

On my to-do list - a Tissot based 6610 or 1016 pocket watch



The plan is to print a dial overlay… the challenge is to find (or make?) oversized Mercedes hands…

My own dream project

 

[Grapeshot]

Used by my grandfather to keep time while driving the Royal Train for King George V1

 

[Caboose]

On my to-do list - a Tissot based 6610 or 1016 pocket watch



The plan is to print a dial overlay… the challenge is to find (or make?) oversized Mercedes hands…

I can for sure assist on dial design and creation if you want a massive dial like this. You are on your own for massive Mercedes hands however!

 

[Got20Mate]

Some truly remarkable examples here gang, who'd have thought I'd be looking at these on eBay this evening

 

[Karbon74]

Some truly remarkable examples here gang, who'd have thought I'd be looking at these on eBay this evening

I was floored by the Molnija
Those pocket watches are quite affordable today. I was reading that they were gaining in popularity and prices were starting to rise

There is a factor of ten to twenty if you want an Omega wristwatch of the same era

 

[KJ2020]

Arghh another rabbit hole to get lost down. Gotta. Have. One. NOW, lol.

62 Cool Pocket Watches for Men (2024)

Explore Our Curated Collection of 62 Cool Pocket Watches for Men. From Vintage to Modern, These Timepieces Are the Ultimate Fashion Statement.

www.babblepath.com

 

[dpd3672]

Nothing rare or valuable, but it was my grandfather’s.

 

[Feefo]

Used by my grandfather to keep time while driving the Royal Train for King George V1

A Cyma with a Broad Arrow and (military?) serial number, very nice piece of history.

 

[RolETA2824]

Picked this one up for 50€ a couple of years ago. Wanted to repair it, but don’t have the tool to replace a broken 3 wheel jewel.

 

[BlossomboofyBoofystewie2]

Pocket watches have been a passion of mine for years mainly because they are usually so much cheaper then say a Gen Rolex wrist watch compared to a Rolex pocket watch. Hopefully to save you guys a lot of time:
1. I attach the chain to my belt loop and put the watch in my pocket so the chain goes down my leg to my pocket - the chain adds a lot of dress style so it's important. For a GREAT chain go to Ebay and buy solid i.e. solid gold, solid silver about 14 inches long and nice chunkyish links. Trust me, when it comes to showing it a solid one is better than plated one because of the weight.
2. Go for one around 50 - 55mm which fits nicely in your hand,
3. I like ones that are "different" i.e. a repeater watch or a musical one or a moon phase one. Ones that look impressive. These would be A LOT more if they were a Gen wrist watch.
4. Brand doesn't seem as important as a wrist watch because some of the brands don't exist anymore so people don't know if it's an expensive one or not.
5. I personally like late 1800s ones - up to you but as you go down this rabbit hole you will move from "new cheapies" (that look old) to real vintage ones. I've thrown out all my earlier acquisitions because they don't have the quality and the "feel" and unlike the watches available from a TD they look cheap/fake.
6. Start with solid silver because in Gen they are cheaper, then go to gold, then to rose gold - I make them match the wrist watch I'm wearing i.e. silver wrist watch with silver fob watch. if you wear a pocket watch the way I've said people will notice the chain, then you show them the watch - the big advantage is you don't need a vest. I find I can wear them with jeans plus up to any level of formal.

Hope this helps! CHEERS ED (Australia)

 

[Karbon74]

Pocket watches have been a passion of mine for years mainly because they are usually so much cheaper then say a Gen Rolex wrist watch compared to a Rolex pocket watch. Hopefully to save you guys a lot of time:
1. I attach the chain to my belt loop and put the watch in my pocket so the chain goes down my leg to my pocket - the chain adds a lot of dress style so it's important. For a GREAT chain go to Ebay and buy solid i.e. solid gold, solid silver about 14 inches long and nice chunkyish links. Trust me, when it comes to showing it a solid one is better than plated one because of the weight.
2. Go for one around 50 - 55mm which fits nicely in your hand,
3. I like ones that are "different" i.e. a repeater watch or a musical one or a moon phase one. Ones that look impressive. These would be A LOT more if they were a Gen wrist watch.
4. Brand doesn't seem as important as a wrist watch because some of the brands don't exist anymore so people don't know if it's an expensive one or not.
5. I personally like late 1800s ones - up to you but as you go down this rabbit hole you will move from "new cheapies" (that look old) to real vintage ones. I've thrown out all my earlier acquisitions because they don't have the quality and the "feel" and unlike the watches available from a TD they look cheap/fake.
6. Start with solid silver because in Gen they are cheaper, then go to gold, then to rose gold - I make them match the wrist watch I'm wearing i.e. silver wrist watch with silver fob watch. if you wear a pocket watch the way I've said people will notice the chain, then you show them the watch - the big advantage is you don't need a vest. I find I can wear them with jeans plus up to any level of formal.

Hope this helps! CHEERS ED (Australia)

Now we need pics !!!

 

[369mafia]

I cant find my pics

 

[Karbon74]

I cant find my pics

But can you find the watches?

 

[369mafia]

found my pics.
if serial reference is correct its from the late 1800's was my grandfathers watch