A Pocket Watch for Style

Unlike wristwatches, pocket watches are meant to be placed on coat or trousers pockets. They are often attached by a chain to a belt loop, a lapel, or a waistcoat. In contrast to the digital displays in most of our modern watches, pocket watches adapts the traditional analog display.

A pocket watch is never complete without its ornamental parts. It has a chain, also called the fob, to secure the watch that is usually made of such materials as gold and silver. The hunter-type pocket watch has a hinged cover that is manually flipped open when looking at the time. This prevents the watch face from having scratches. Most pocket watches also include a fastener to attach the watch to the users garments.

Pocket watches came long before wristwatches became known. The first reference to a new pocket watches ever made was in 1462. A letter written to the Marchese di Manta, by Bartholomew Manfredi, an Italian clock maker, includes an offer for the construction of a pocket clock. In the letter, Manfredi assured the Marchese of a pocket clock that was way better than the one owned by the Duke of Modena.

The first pocket clock that actually fit the pocket was invented in 1510 by Peter Heinlein, a German locksmith from Nuremberg. From then on he continued manufacturing such watches until it became a must-have all throughout Europe.

Pocket watches come in two varieties. The first is open faced, with no cover, winding variety called a mechanical pocket watches . The other is the covered version, with a hinged cover protecting its crystal and face. Since the pocket watchs separate second dial is usually placed close to six oclock, the pendant (also known as the stem of the open face pocket watch) is at twelve oclock. The hunter stem then is at three oclock. To read the open face pocket watches then, the watch is turned ninety degrees so that the stem points to the right.

Whether it is open-faced or hunter-type, modern pocket watches uses the quartz movement feature.

In spite of the popularity of the wristwatches, many still prefer pocket watches for that air of elegance unrivalled by the wristwatch. As an accessory, pocket watch covers can be engraved with designs or embedded with stones, and pocket watch accessories can be customized. These can also be made excellent gifts by customizing them with designs you have in mind.

Now, you can choose from among a variety of pocket watches. There are Swiss Army Pocket watches, watches that can be made into pendants, and of course, the conventional pocket watches. So if you are having a hard time deciding on something that makes a perfect remembrance, consider getting a customized pocket watch.