Purchase a New Pocket watch

[trebor]

I am looking to purchase a new mechanical pocket watch, one that I can hand down to my son or grandson, that will retain value and can become a family heirloom. Every maker says that they are all "high quality".

I could use some guidance

[trebor]

I am looking to purchase a new mechanical pocket watch, one that I can hand down to my son or grandson, that will retain value and can become a family heirloom. Every maker says that they are all "high quality".

I could use some guidance

[Jeff Hess]

I suggest buying a mint or minty or new old stock or near mint 12 size vintage watch.

You can look around (try an NAWCC show) and find a super gold filled vintage Elgin or Hamilton or South Bend for 50 to 125 dollars.

If you INSIST on "NEW", there are several companies who make them. I think Patek and Audemar still make them. Big dollars.

HAmilton makes one that looks super. Has a great dial but the case is gold tone or plate.
a few hundred dollars.

Good luck! Jeff Hess

[Wes]

I worked on a newer Tissot which had a decent movement in it. However, they are just as expensive as a vintage pocket watch, or even more so, but contain no silver or gold.
I think they sell Colibri pocket watches at department stores as well.
In my opinion, they are not the same as a 75 year old or older pocket watch. I would probably rather wear a new Timex or Fossil wrist watch or no time piece at all. Besides, the antique pocket watches have character, and character goes a long way!
:cool:

[bobswatch]

I was in your shoes many years ago. I knew nothing about pocket watches, but wanted one to pass to each of my children.I started looking by going to watch shows where they sold watches,but was not about to buy one because I knew I would get taken and end up with a so so watch.In my opinion and I know everyone has one I would recommend you buy one of the four major brands of old railroad watches.I would buy a Bunn Special made by Illinois or a 992-B made by Hamilton or B.W. Ramond made by Elgin or one of Walthams fine RR watches.All these 4 companies make different models of RR watches and you may find good deals in those models too. Expect to pay in the range of 300 to 800 dollars, depending on the quality of the case and movement, jewel count etc. The price you paid for any of the above named watches are sure to increase.
This is just an attempt to help and get you a watch to be proud of and other people will want to buy if you ever want to sell it.Just a word of caution---- some folks with good intentions say they have railroad watches for sale, but really they don't know what a railroad watch is. If you can't find one with the names written on the movements I listed above, please have a friend who knows about watches look at them prior to you buying one.
Bob

[Joe Jones]

Hi Trebor,
As the proud owner of both grandfathers' pocket watches I can tell you what makes them special. One is a 9ct gold case with a not-particularly- good movement in it. A simple, one cover back, not too thick. What makes it special is the fact that my grandmother gave it to my grandfather with all the love in her heart, and then gave it to me 50 years later knowing that I would cherish it, and that is what is important.
The other is a nice railroad quality Waltham 17 jewel watch in a heavy nickel case. That is the one that I wear often. My feeling is that the case has no decoration, never did, and so I cannot wear it off. The case is not gold filled that will wear through, it is nickel. Not valuable, but solid enough to protect the movement as often as I choose to wear it, as it did for my grandfather. When I pull it out to check the time and I feel it in my hand, I feel his hand holding mine as we walked to the beach when I was five. I see my reflection in the back of the watch, and I see his face there, too, telling me that he is still with me and that all is well, no matter what the time.
A quality watch is a nice thing to hand down, but it is more important that it be connected to memories of the person it is from, and that the love that comes with it is genuine, as I am sure your is just from your question.
Find a nice watch that YOU enjoy, and then enjoy your grandchildren with it. They will grow to see it as a part of you, and then as a tangible reminder of all the intangible parts of you that are parts of them. I'm sure that whatever watch you choose, they will know that it is a part of you that you are giving to them.
Joe

[Pat McCarthy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Joe Jones:
Hi Trebor,
As the proud owner of both grandfathers' pocket watches . . . . </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Trebor, I don't think Joe could have said what so many of us feel any better. I, too, have my grandfather's watch, and it is my most prized possession. And it is so simply because he looked at that dial as many times a day as I do.

My children understand my love of that watch - as well as the others in my collection - and I am confident that they will share that love with their children.

These guys are right - find a Hamilton, Elgin, or Waltham (or any of the other railroad grade watches, for that matter) that strikes your fancy, try to learn its "story", and then let your family see you care for it. You will then have an heirloom of incredible value to pass on to your grandchildren.

Welcome to the forum.