One unique hobby of some is to collect antique pocket watches. Whether for the sake of nostalgia or pure beauty, these vintage watches have certainly come a long way since their 16th century conception, although these early models looked a tad different than the modern pocket watch.
In the early days of the 16th century, clock makers devised a process to use springs instead of weights for operation in their timepieces. The switch up allowed them to greatly condense the size of these watches to the point where they can be carried from person to person. Far from the classic pocket watch that could fit in your palm, said devices were very large and bulky, and worn around the neck. Even as newer methods would allow for smaller sizes, they were still much larger and bulky than today.
Towards the beginning of the 17th century the more classic pocket watch truly began to take its famous form. Most of what we consider to be “antique” pocket watches hailed from this time period. Watchmakers wanted a smaller, rounded design that focused on the artistic aspects of watches, as opposed to just the technical design and mechanics.
Pocket watches are style, beautiful, rugged, practical, simple, and elegant—they’re simply the best of all worlds. For any person of any profession or lifestyle, there is a pocket watch. In fact, I’d go as far as to say there is a pocket watch available for every person in the world designed specifically to their preference and needs. Over centuries, they have become a key accessory to both men and women, keeping strong until the production of wristwatches shortly after the 20th century. Even just the sight of an antique pocket watch is enough conjure up images of history and tradition, desirable and beautiful to collectors everywhere.
