Time has often been a valued component, and now becomes a valuable part 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 noble.  In the document, the nobleman is offered what was termed as a pocket clock by the clockmaker.  An entrepreneur of German descent was making pocket watches in 1524 in Britain employing a revolutionary spring technology ; clock faces that exhibited only 1 hand to indicate the hour now took the place of using the sun to tell time.  Time could be conjectured within an hour or so of the real time.  The minute hand was added much later on in the late 1600′s when technology sophisticated even further ; enabling wearers of the watches to gauge time inside minutes of the particular time.  As technology allowed more specific 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 built of steel by blacksmiths and locksmiths as they were accustomed to working with the alloy.  Over time, other more suitable 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, especially those with jewels, are particularly valuable for collectors because of these gildings. 

Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton, Ball and Illinois are just some 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 requested as collectibles.  Another well-liked collector sort of pocket watch is a series called Railroad watches.  These timepieces were used by train engineers in critical time keeping schedules for train arrivals and departures.  The accuracy of the watches were more precisely accurate than most, as any variance of time quicker or slower could mean sad situations for 2 trains on one track.  As with any antique, the value of the item depends 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 fantastic stories if they were only able to tell more than time.

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Filed under: Every Day Life

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