Using Pocketwatches

[Dan R]

I am curious as to how many of you use a pocketwatch. By that, I mean you wear one more than once a month. I myself have collected several, but I use one or two about every three months if I get around to it. That is not even enough, I fear, to keep the oils coating all the needed areas.

A good example of one that should be easy to use is my Hamilton 4992B. As you can see if the pictures below, it is legible and has a hacking feature. It may not be water resistant or have luminous hands, but that did not detract from its original use during WWII.




This model is a 16S, which is a nice balance between heft, size, and portability. I have several that are 18S, and they make me feel like the big man on campus when I use them. But like the 4992B above, they get little use.

So let me know what you use and how often.

Cheers!

Dan

PS -- pics stolen from ebay. I do not have a good shot of my own.

[is that my watch]

well got two sort of it's a bit of a trick question for me as I have one that is converted that I wear a lot then I have a pocket watch in a pocket watch case I use if I am concerned with a wrist watch getting damaged I will take a pocket watch instead

[Henry Krinkle]

While I only wear it a few times a year, I wind mine everyday. It is my moderately accurate clock in my den.

[Dan R]

While I only wear it a few times a year, I wind mine everyday. It is my moderately accurate clock in my den.

I tried to do that. I have several acrylic PW stands that stand them up nicely. Gave up after a while. I travel and they would wind down.

Dan

[KennethRSloan]

Ahem...the poll doesn't offer a correct response for me. When at home, I wear a pocket watch more than 3 times per WEEK. I rotate (more or less chronologically) through my collection - mostly American made RR grade - weekly (changing on Sunday, when I'm at home). It takes 2 years to complete the rotation.

I have 3 GCT watches like the one pictured above (two Hamilton's and one Elgin). That's what I wear when changing time zones - they are always set to G.C.T., so they don't need to be reset when I arrive!

Tomorrow, I chase the sun from G.C.T.+2 to G.C.T.-5. I'll be carrying one of the Hamilton 4992B's.

I wore a pocketwatch (the same one!) exclusively for at least 30 years. I've mellowed in my old age and now strap a weight to my left wrist from time to time.
Sometime I'm actually carrying a PW and wearing a WW at the same time! Not often, but it happens.

[Dan R]

...
Sometime I'm actually carrying a PW and wearing a WW at the same time! Not often, but it happens.

I've been known to do the same.

Sorry about the pole options. Tough to make it fit all cases.

Dollar for dollar, an RRG PW is still one of the best horological investments one can make. Can you imagine what it would cost to make something similar today?

Cheers!

Dan

[KennethRSloan]

Indeed! The high end of the price range for my PWs slightly overlaps the low end of the price range for my WWs.

Of course, we may not know if current WWs have the same quality as RR grade PWs for another 100 years or so.

[Dan R]

Indeed! The high end of the price range for my PWs slightly overlaps the low end of the price range for my WWs.

Of course, we may not know if current WWs have the same quality as RR grade PWs for another 100 years or so.

It's an entirely subjective subject that is either driven by technology or love of something old.

The oldest closed balance will tend to keep better time than a compensated balance of a PW. I am amaized at how out of poise balance wheels are for RRG PWs. It makes me wonder if they were off balanced to compensate for weakening hairsprings.

But after poising one and then aligning the arms to the cut wheel, there isn't anything cooler than an RRG PW running even if it still does not keep as good time. Most of these things are close to 100 years old. Can't expect them to be spot on .

Dan

[Broker]

My father has one from around 1850. It's a very cool old watch. I need to get a pic.

[Dan R]

My father has one from around 1850. It's a very cool old watch. I need to get a pic.

Yes you do!

My oldest is from about 1880. I think it is a Sears Roebuck branded one. I need to make a pic of it as well.

Dan