History of Antique Gold Pocket Watches

Time has usually been a valued part, and now becomes a valuable element for those that collect antique gold pocket watches. 

The history of pocket watches extends back to the mid 1400’s, proven by a letter from an Italian clockmaker to a nobleman.  In the document, the nobleman is offered what was called as a pocket clock by the clockmaker.  A businessperson of German descent was making pocket watches in 1524 in England using a revolutionary spring technology ; clock faces that exhibited only one hand to indicate the hour now took the place of using the sun to tell time.  Time could be estimated within an hour or so of the genuine time.  The minute hand was added much later on in the late 1600’s when technology sophisticated further ; enabling wearers of the watches to gauge time within mins of the actual time.  As technology allowed more definite time gauging, more gildings were added to meet a growing interest in the watches. 

Portable watches, as they were called in the beginning, were first constructed of steel by blacksmiths and locksmiths as they were accustomed to working with the amalgamate.  Over time, other better substances were used instead, such as brass, silver and gold.  Jewels and delicate scroll work were added to embellish some of the watches to make them more engaging for the rich.  Antique gold pocket watches, particularly those with jewels, are particularly valuable for collectors due to these elaborations. 

Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton, Ball and Illinois are just a few of the early makers of pocket watches whose products are among those valued the highest.  All the way back to the mid 1800’s and of stunning design, many of those watches are sought after as collectibles.  Another well-liked collector type of pocket watch is a series called Railroad watches.  These watchs were used by train engineers in vital time keeping schedules for train arrivals and departures.  The accuracy of the watches were more precisely correct than most, as any variance of time faster or slower could mean sad scenarios for two trains on one track.  As with any antique, the value of the item relies on how much a buyer is willing to pay for it. 

The prize of many collectors is antique gold pocket watches, with histories that go back virtually 150 years.  Often owned by the well to do in society, these watchs would likely have wonderful stories if they were only ready to tell more than time.