Pocket Watch - Great Gift Idea

Nothing says "I care about you" more than a silver pocket watch.

Sometimes, it’s not so much the message that counts, but how this message was expressed. The same is true of the presents you give to the men in your life - be they boyfriend, husband, brother, father, uncle, or a second cousin.

Pocket watches unlike wristwatches were designed to be carried in a pocket as opposed to being worn on the wrist. Developed in the sixteenth century they were popular until the wristwatch came about after WWI.

Pocket watches have been around since the 16th century. The early vintage model was of a more square design, and somewhat larger than today’s versions. In the early days only the rich were able to own one, as it was a true status symbol of wealth and authority. In the same era, mechanisms were introduced to bring time-telling precision, and some of the earliest models even had an alarm.

The good thing about a silver pocket watch is that it looks distinguished. Thus, it can also double as a striking piece of accessory. You may purchase a fob to accompany the watch. A fob will provide your recipient with more choices on how to wear the watch. He could wear it as a necklace, for one, or a bracelet, for another.

To add a special touch to your gift-giving, have the silver pocket watch engraved. You could have the date and the name of the recipient etched on the back, for instance. Or, you could include a line or two that only you and your recipient would understand. The message should be one that aptly encapsulates your relationship with the person you are giving the silver pocket watch to.

Meanwhile, collecting antique pocket watches has become a pastime for folks young and old. To learn the value of the pocket watch, and what you should be paying for it, you can find numerous books available at antique pocket watch auction sites.

pocket watches
pocket watches

Technorati Tags: john harrison pocket watch, jolly roger pocket watch, jolly roger pocketwatch, playboy bunny pocketwatch, robert roskell pocket watches

There is really nothing "mickey mouse" about a Mickey Mouse pocket watch. There is a huge area of collectibles centered on the Mickey Mouse pocket watch and associated cartoon character genre. Since the creation of Mickey Mouse in the 1930s, the idea that these characters should be immortalised on a timepiece insured that collectors worldwide would cherish them for a very long time.

Walt Disney joined with watchmaker Ingersoll and between them they created timepieces with various cartoon characters on the face and sometimes on the back of the watch. Characters such as Donald Duck, Big Bad Wolf, and of course Donald Duck were the prominent cartoons displayed.

As time went by, in the late 1930s, other manufacturers took more of an interest in the marketing concept and companies such as Ingraham also joined in the cartoon craze.

Mickey Mouse Pocket Watch Other characters such as Buck Rogers, Popeye, Superman and Betty Boop surfaced on popular pocket and wrist watches. It is interesting to note that these watches are quite rare (especially Betty Boop watches) and so these can command premium prices today.

The popularity of these watches continued up until the late 1950s when time finally caught up with the characters and they became less desirable than they were originally. Of course, as with all crazes and fads they must come to end eventually but this doesn’t make the existing articles any less interesting or potentially collectible in the future.

This is a list of some of the watches you might find on the market today from the 1930s:

    * Mickey Mouse from $ 50-$1500
    * Donald Duck from $100-$500
    * Popeye from $100-$500
    * Pinocchio from $100-$200
    * Jiminy Cricket from $ 50-$200
    * Betty Boop from $ 50-$1000 (for the 1934 pocket watch)
    * Superman from $ 50-$300
    * Buck Rogers from $500-$1000
    * Daisy Duck from $100-$300
    * Porky Pig from $100-$250

This is by no means a complete list. There are notable exceptions to the normally cheaper cartoon character watches such as the Tom Mix pocket watch that always fetches a premium price if in good condition, around the $2000 mark. Others reaching into the four-digit bracket these days are the Big Bad wolf & 3 pigs 1936 model that will fetch around the $1500 mark. The Mickey Mouse pocket watch varies with most fetching the lower end of the scale set out below.

As collectibles go, these watches represent something that many of us can remember and cherish from our childhood and beyond. Modern day collectors are only too aware that as time passes by the numbers and quality of the watches left are worth more as years go by. If these watches are of interest to you, you should be able to build up a nice collection that will undoubtedly increase in value as time passes, and at the same time appreciate the historical value that these pieces represent. The Mickey Mouse Pocket Watch will be around for a while yet!

Technorati Tags: jolly roger pocketwatch, playboy bunny pocket watch, playboy bunny pocketwatch

Pocket watches are classy and stylish. Unlike wrist watches, they are a cut above the norm and are meant to be used on more formal occasions. They have been around since the 16th century, and even today, are valued for their elegance and usefulness.

The first designs of the pocket watch was more of a square than the round one, which is more commonly its shape today. Vintage pocket watches were also larger than today’s pocket watches. Because of the craftsmanship involved in making pocket watches, only the more affluent were able to afford them. As such, pocket watches were symbols of wealth and status.

The designs and features of pocket watches continued to evolve centuries after they were first introduced. During the 17th century, watch craftsmen started making the cases and dials for the pocket watches in various designs. By the 18th century, innovations in constructing the pocket watches were made. During this period, jewels (rubies) were first used to construct pocket watches, as well as oil to smooth the movement of the hands of the pocket watches. These innovations resulted in more accurate time keeping pocket watches.

Pocket watches today are more advanced than the pocket watches of the past, in both design and craftsmanship. Available in a variety of designs, colors, styles, and materials used, pocket watches remain symbols of style and elegance. Some pocket watch styles are even made to resemble vintage pocket watches, perfect for those who want to feel the grandeur of the old world.

Small, light, and portable, pocket watches make for fine gifts for those who are looking for something different for any occasion. Aside from the obvious elegance they can give, most pocket watches can be engraved, adding a personalized touch to a special occasion.
   
With the variety of pocket watches available in the market, finding the perfect one can be a bit confussing, so check out the online market before deciding on the best one for you.

The History and Dream of Luxury Watches

The next time you look at your watch realize that Peter Henlein invented the first pocket watch in Nuremberg, Germany. It wasn’t very accurate, which is sort of ironic since Germans are known for their accuracy. …   Read more…

History of the Watch

But in the 1500’s Peter Henlein from Germany created the first pocket watch. And from that point on portable timekeeping was part of the norm. In the early 1600s, form watches came into being. Cases shaped like animals and objects and …   Read more…

The Long History of Watch Making

For a number of years before the wrist watch became a common sight, the standard for personal timekeeping was the pocket watch. Pocket watches are said to have originated in Germany towards around the end of the fifteenth century. …   Read more…

The History Of Pocket Watches

Collectors realize that pocket watches have been around for years, but the first mobile clocks did not appear until the 1500s. Up until then mechanisms inside clocks were entirely too large and heavy, so very few individuals considered …   Read more…

Technorati Tags: betty boop pocketwatch, playboy bunny pocketwatch, robert roskell pocket watches

Once upon a time in America pocket watches were the only way a gentlemen would be able to carry a watch around. In today’s ever changing society they have become quite scarce, as the majority of people prefer to wear a watch on their wrist or to not wear one at all or to use a mobile phone to find out the time.

Nevertheless, there are numerous collectors of watches whose collection would not be complete without having at lease one pocket watch in it.

The Different Kinds of Pocket Watches

The majority of pocket watches are classified by the manufacturer, design, precious metals, as well as gems used within it, as well by its movement and functions.

The watch known as the fussee watch, or the key wind watch, is one of the most sought after time pieces by collectors, the reason being is they are believed to have been invented by none other than Leonardo Da Vinci himself.

Next on the list is the American Railroad pocket watch, as it was mainly used for obvious purposes and was thought to be very accurate in order to prevent any accidents.

The Marine Chronometer watch is next on the list, which is then followed by the Hunter Case pocket watch, which are in high demand since they have a protective cover over the face of the watch to prevent any possible scratches.

Primarily desired for its beauty in addition to its rarity, the Multi-jewel pocket watch was brought to the consumer market by a very few famous designers such as Cartier and Omega.

Maintaining Your Pocket Watch

A significant part of owning an expensive and rare watch is providing the proper care for it. The proper way of taking care of your pocket watch is by knowing what material it is constructed from and if it has any exotic gemstones you need to be aware of.

When a watch is made out of precious metals you are going to need to clean it on a regular basis so you will need to bring it to the jewelers at least once a year.

The majority of watches require servicing of its mechanism, hence a trip to a certified watch maker is typically indicated when you buy it. Also, if it was listed on the paperwork you received with the watch when you first bought it, you always have the option to take it in for cleaning and polishing of the outside material.

There are numerous types of pocket watches to search for and to endeavor to make a part of your collection. What it boils down to is how much time and energy you are willing to devote in this hobby, as you will discover that most of them are hard to find and extremely expensive.

Stylish Watches Found On Internet Watch Dealer Sites

By Joseph Levy While everyone has their own idea of what a stylish watch would look like but after reading this article you will have a better understanding. Stylish watches are often in the eye of the beholder. When you search the internet a number of stylish watches can be found on dealer websites, but consumers can choose for themselves which watches they find to be the most stylish and enjoyable. In addition to offering style watches, these watch dealers also able to offer deep discount   Read more…

Diva’s Fashion Jewelry Blogshop…: Simple yet Stylish Doggy Earrings

Vintage Small Pocket Watch � Stylish Pocket Watch � Red Eyed Fox Earrings � Lee Hyori Wooden Cross Necklace � Romantic Love Pearl Earrings � Little Smiley Whale Earrings � Happy Pink Bunny Earrings � Stylish JC Golden Crown with Crystal …   Read more…

Technorati Tags: betty boop pocket watch, betty boop pocketwatch, cheap pocket watches

Omega Watches - An Intriguing Look At the History Behind These Luxurious Watches

Engineered to the nth degree, the Omega watch brand is a staple on many a well-to-do man’s dresser; tucked safely away inside its luxurious velvet box, ensuring that this extremely fine timepiece will be free from dust and scratches when not eloquently strapped to its owner’s wrist.

Now let’s take a brief but intriguing look at the history behind these luxurious watches long before they signed Hollywood A-list stars Nicole Kidman and George Clooney, as well as tennis superstar Maria Sharapova, to become their celebrity endorsers.

The fairy tale known as the Omega Watch Company actually started way back in the 19th Century -1848 to be exact, when the Omega founder, Louis Brandt, a Swiss watchmaker who resided in La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, began creating his "Omega" masterpieces. Of course, back then he constructed each piece using only his bare hands by meticulously assembling each watch piece by piece.

The first watches that Mr. Brandt made were pocket watches, because back then they were the timepiece that was considered to be vogue and were highly sought after and cherished. In the mid 1800’s the thought of attaching a bracelet to their time piece never even crossed a persons mind. The fashionable and preferred thing to do was to carry their beloved "Omega" watches - which, at the time were called "Bienne" watches - in their pockets.

Unfortunately, Mr. Louis Brandt passed away in 1879 and he left his modest company to his sons, Louis Paul Brandt and Cesar Brandt who carried on their father’s tradition of impeccable pocket watch craftsmanship. They decided to rename the company "Bienne" in January 1880.

The birth of the Omega watch brand actually took place in 1894, more than a decade after the renaming of the company to Bienne. Louis and Cesar Brandt introduced, for the first time, the brand "Omega" to the Swiss public. Over time, the Omega watch has come to be one of Switzerland’s biggest and most luxurious exports. The Omega watch name actually came from one of the two Brandt brother’s watch movement calibers.

Sadly, the reign of the two Brandt brothers in the Omega watch company was short-lived because both brothers suddenly died in 1903. This resulted in four individuals taking control of the Omega watch company. One of the individuals was Paul Brandt, who not only inherited the Brandt family name but their entrepreneurial instincts as well. At just 23 years old, Paul was actually the oldest of the four who took over the Omega watch company after the death of the Brandt brothers.

After a merger with fellow Swiss luxury watch brand, Tissot in 1930, SSIH (Socit suisse pour l’industrie horlogre) in Geneva, Switzerland was created as the new parent company of the newly merged watch companies. Fortunately, the merger between Tissot and Omega was a big success, which is why in a relatively short time the SSIH group grew to over fifty other companies including Lemania, Lanco and Hamilton. And in a relatively short period of time, the SSIH group has managed to position themselves as the third largest producer of luxury watches, as well as watch movements in the world.

It was during this time when Omega produced a number of its most loved time pieces. Vintage Omega watches that are still highly sought and are famous to this day.

During the Second World War, Omega built a solid reputation for themselves by coming out with military and pilot watches for servicemen. They have always been known for their fine craftsmanship and their great attention to detail. Other popular watches from that era were the Omega Speedmaster chronograph, the Omega Seamaster waterproof sports watch and the Omega Constellation watches, which are all still incredibly popular.

 
During an economic downturn in 1980, Omega found itself once again merging with another Swiss watch giant - ASUAG, which manufactures and produces other popular Swiss watches such as Swatch, Longines and Rado. The new company that emerged from the Omega-ASUAG merger was called the ASUAG-SSIH company. Unfortunately, even the combined resources of the newly formed company was unable to fight off the economic slump that Omega was facing during that time which resulted in the newly formed company to be taken over by a private group. The ASUAG-SSIH company was renamed and shortened to just SMH which still exists today.

Fossil Watches
Fossil Watches

By Scott Knutson Published: 5/14/2006      Star Caliber 2000…A gentleman’s watch! I think pocket watches are in vogue again. Earlier we covered the very futuristic pocket watch and mobile phone by Tag Heuer, and now the very classy, elegant and timeless (pun intended) Star Caliber…   Read more… The Railroad Watch - Why So Collectible? Ever wondered why pocket watches are such collectible items? Railroad pocket watches make for precious heirlooms. Find out why. Railroad pocket watches mark the height of not just the American watch…   Read more… Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? It’s easy enough to understand why some people spend huge sums of money on wristwatches - aside from vices like vanity, avarice, and ego, there’s the whole “fine timepiece” marketing mystique…   Read more…

Technorati Tags: betty boop pocketwatch, jolly roger pocket watch, jolly roger pocketwatch, playboy bunny pocket watch, playboy bunny pocketwatch