Antique Pocket Watches: The First Time-Pieces That Changed The World

Time is a constant, even though it sometimes doesn’t feel like it; the seconds tick by and become minutes that turn to hours. When humanity learned how to accurately measure time, it was a game-changer in so many ways. Trains and buses could be scheduled, workers would know what the time is in order not to be late. Father Time became a part of everyone’s lives.

16th Century

While people could use the sun, moon and even stars to estimate the time, it wasn’t until the early 16th century that we made the first time-piece; a man by the name of Peter Henlein invented a spring-loaded pocket watch, which he went on to market in England, Scotland and Wales. Initial pocket watches were made primary from steel and advances in blacksmith tech allowed for smaller components to be made.

Precision Engineering

From the mid-16th century, components such as winders, compact spring designs and initial pocket watches only had an hour hand; the minute hand was shortly to follow. Tiny wheels enabled the watch to be kept wound and brass casing with a flip-open cover enabled the wearer to glance at any time. Usually worn on a chain around the neck, the owner of such a device was considered to be wealthy in the 16th century.

Lever Escapement & Jewels

This was a game-changer that greatly reduced the inaccuracy and pocket watches were kept in a special waistcoat pocket, connected to the lapel with a short chain. From the mid-18th century, rubies were used in the making of time pieces, making them very expensive. Jewels were encased around the actual timepiece, as pocket watches were not yet available to the working class.

King Charles II

This flamboyant 17th century monarch started a trend that continues to this day, he kept his watch in a small inner waistcoat pocket, connected by a thin chain. This protected the watch face, as it was inside the clothing and that quickly became the way to wear a pocket watch. The devices were wound using a special turnkey until the late 18th century, when knob-winding watches emerged.

Valuable Antiques

Early pocket watches are extremely valuable and if you are looking for unique antique pocket watches for sale, the online antique dealer has an extensive catalogue of genuine pocket watches that appreciate over time. Some people are avid collectors because they love the fine engineering and workmanship; they know acquiring such assets is a wise long-term investment.

The Industrial Revolution

This was a crazy period when there was an explosion of machinery and people needed to know the time. The emergence of railroads in Europe and the US meant that train timetables had to be followed and known for safety reasons. The pocket watch became an essential device for station masters and the foreman of the railway workers always had a pocket watch to move the team off the track in good time. Time suddenly became critical, in terms of being able to accurately measure the passing of moments and the pocket watch became available to the masses in the early 20th century, paving the way for the wrist watch.

The pocket watch is still worn by many gentlemen and collectors are busy adding to their collection.