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In an era when Smartphones have marched in to stay, it is easy to forget what a wonderful accessory a watch can be, and especially a classy pocket watch! The pocket watch was once a must for every respectable man to wear, and it tended to be attached to the coat or jacket with a thin chain. While this tradition has faded, there are still those out there who are looking to acquire pocket watches, and to tell time on these instead of on a cellphone with a digital display.
If you are looking for modern pocket watches or pocket watches that have that classic pocket watch feel – you have definitely come to the right place.
View The Best Pocket Watch Below
1. Mudder Classic Smooth Vintage Steel Men’s Pocket Watch
Sometimes simple is best, and these pocket watches perfectly demonstrate why a classic watch can be the ideal option at times! The sleek design and the highly accurate Japanese quartz movement makes it a watch that will look amazing when you pull it out of your pocket and also help you keep track of time.
It has a white dial, sapphire crystal window to prevent it from scratching, black Arabic numerals, alloy case and it is water-resistant in case you would accidentally splash it with water or get caught in the rain.
The front plate opens when you pull on the crown, revealing the classic features hiding inside. Choose between gold, silver, bronze and rose gold, and be amazed by the smooth surface and how luxurious it looks. If you are looking for something more formal that you can bring with you everywhere – these stainless steel watches won’t let you down.
Pros:
+ Removable bronze chain
+ Daily Use Water-Resistance
+ Sleek and classic design
+ Japanese Quartz Movement
Why We Like It – While this is an overall simple watch, the details of the numerals on the dial, along with the exquisite watch hands, and these are products any pocket watch lover needs in their collection.
2. Stuhrling Original Men’s Pocket Watch
Kick it up a notch with this authentic mechanical pocket watch! It stays true to how watches once worked, and you have to wind it up with the crown approximately every 24-36 hours. This requires a little more maintenance than a quartz watch, but it has a certain charm and is what many watch enthusiasts prefer.
The mechanical skeleton can be seen through the dial and through the transparent mineral crystal glass, and the Roman numerals further add to the vintage feel of these pocket watches. They are made in stainless steel which is simply one of the most durable materials, and it adds that authentic weight you would expect to get from a real pocket watch. There is also a practical desk stand on the back of the dial so that you can turn it into a practical desktop watch.
Pros:
+ Stainless steel case
+ Visible skeleton dial
+ Formal Roman numerals
+ Desk stand on the back
Why We Like It – This mechanical skeleton watch is one of the best pocket watches you can find, but it is also stunningly beautiful, and it is perfect for someone who wants a skeleton pocket watch they have to wind, just like back in the days.
3. Bulova 96B270 Men’s Stainless Steel Analog-Quartz Pocket Watch
These hunter style pocket watches come straight out of the Bulova classic collection, and they are great formal watches to use for special events and when wanting to impress someone. The flawless hunter stainless steel construction and the smooth polished surface makes it the ultimate pocket watch pick for a true watch enthusiast.
This hunter watch has three-hand movement, 50mm case diameter, analog-quartz movement, a chain with a clasp, an etched-in logo and it is water-resistant down to 30 meters so that you can relax even if getting caught in an unexpected rainstorm or accidentally splashing the watch with water.
It is a hunter watch amazon favorite and a product that constantly shows up in search results and hunter pocket watch reviews, and it comes with a reliable warranty in case you would have problems with it.
Pros:
+ 50 mm case diameter
+ Featuring three-hand movement
+ Analog-quartz movement
+ For true watch lovers
Why We Like It – With Swiss hunter pocket watches like these stainless steel hunter watch, you get timeless class and convenient features like water resistance and automatic movement.
4. LYMFHCH Black Pocket Watch
This beautiful quartz mechanical pocket watch is the ultimate gift to give to a beloved son, a brother, a dad, partner or someone else you think would love a personalized watch like this. It comes engraved with the text of your choice, to make it a gift the receiver will never forget.
It is made of Zink alloy metal – a durable material that will hold up for years, comes with a chain, has scratch-resistant crystal glass and a 47 mm watch dial, and the battery life of the quartz core is up to an impressive 24 months.
Put this elegant mechanical movement pocket watch in a gift box, wrap it up and give it to someone you care about, and see the surprise on their faces! The front pops open with the click of a button, and it is one of those accessories that will look elegant and style appropriate with any outfit.
Pros:
+ 47 mm alloy case
+ Personalized design
+ With quartz movement
+ Analog display with Roman numerals
Why We Like It – Here we have a timepiece brand that lets you personalize a modern pocket watch – making it the perfect present either for yourself or for someone else.
Related: Best Watches for Nurses.
5. Akstore Classic Pocket Watch
If you are looking for more of a unique style pocket watch, why not consider this mystical white dial watch inspired by Alice in Wonderland? You can wear it like an as a necklace, or why not like a pendant to carry in your pocket with you? The rustic look makes it seem like it has come straight out of the beloved children’s book, and you half expect the White Rabbit to spring from the box it is delivered in!
In fact, a key detail to what makes this watch such a popular choice is the small rabbit head and the ‘Drink Me’ sign, making this the perfect gift for someone who still has a bit of imagination! It is a timepiece for everyday use, with a delicate hand to show the hour (hours, minutes and seconds), antique-looking features and a brass chain, and it has easy-to-read Arabic numerals, a mechanical skeleton, and automatic movements. It may be hard to find the perfect pocket watch, but if you love stories and books – there is no better watch than this.
Pros:
+ Round white watch dial
+ Scratch-resistant crystal window
+ Can be worn like a necklace
+ Comes with gift box
Why We Like It – It is more than okay to be a little different sometimes, and this pocket watches sure stand out! Beautiful design, accurate time-telling and a large display with Arabic numerals.
6. Mudder Vintage Roman Numerals Scale Quartz Pocket Watch
These exquisite pocket watches have detailed engraving both on the front and on the back; to set the time you only need to pull down the crown, and the black dial with the large white roman numerals makes sure you can tell the time by merely glancing at your pocket watch. A mineral crystal window protects the dial from impact and scratches – the key to a long-lasting mechanical pocket watch, and you can get it in bronze, black or gold.
Wear it for special occasions or every day, and store it in your pocket if you want to stay true to how it used to be worn when pocket watches were still found in almost every man’s pocket. The watch comes with a removable steel chain, it has a mineral crystal window, impressive clock accuracy once set right and it offers a nice break from checking the time on a digital display.
Pros:
+ Stainless steel chain
+ Sapphire crystal window
+ White dial details
+ Elegant and rustic design
Why We Like It – These are highly sophisticated pocket watches for men that has the perfect mix of design. function and durability and they are available at an affordable price.
7. LYMFHCH Classic Smooth Vintage Quartz Pocket Watch
There is something so captivating about this classic type watch, and these are timepieces that are – as they say – timeless. Similar in design to those pocket watches your grandfather would haul out of his pocket repeatedly every time you saw him on holidays, birthdays and Sunday nights, it is a watch style that still works perfectly today.
You cover the white dial with a sleek front, and it is almost like opening up an anonymous present, to reveal those gorgeous filigreed hour, minute and second hands. One thing that sets it apart from those older mechanical pocket watch products is that this one does not have mechanical movement, but Quartz movement, which is known for being more accurate and easier to manage.
Pros:
+ Sapphire crystal window and black case
+ Filigreed hour, minute, and second hands
+ Classic gold or black watch case
+ 14.57-inch steel chain included
Why We Like It – The way this simple and classic watch opens up to reveal a gorgeous white watch dial with filigreed hands is irresistible, and the automatic movement provides you with the ultimate time accuracy.
8. WIOR Classic Smooth Vintage Pocket Watch
A mechanical pocket watch used to be something every respectable man (and some women) carried around, but the mechanical movement watch has gotten a nice update! While it still looks almost just like it once did, which is the charm of this particular pocket watch, it has gotten a nice update by no longer being a mechanical pocket watch, and it now has Quartz movement for easier maintenance and better accuracy.
It is available with both Roman numerals and Arabic numerals so that you can choose what you personally prefer, and you can get it in gold, silver, rose gold and black. The dial is white on all color options, to provide that vintage look, and it is protected by a durable mineral crystal that does not scratch easily.
Pros:
+ Great for formal settings
+ Vintage style watch with Quartz movement
+ Roman numerals or Arabic numerals
+ Stainless steel case, back, and chain
Why We Like It – This is one of the best pocket watches you can find if you like classic timepieces, but still want to enjoy the simplicity that comes with Quartz movement.
Pocket Watch Buyers Guide
Pocket watches are one of the best reminders of the pride that would once lie in having a good watch, and it is a trend that has been coming back later, also among younger generations, so if you don’t have one already – it is time to start looking for that perfect pocket watch. A pocket watch is so much more than just a device to tell time, and many will agree that having a pocket watch says something about a person.
There are hundreds to choose from, anything from luxurious brands like Charles-Hubert Paris and to less known brands, but if you are ready to take the step to become a pocket watch owner – you need the best one, and one that lives up to your expectations.
This could be a skeleton dial watch if you are into extravagant watches, or perhaps the best (and the right) pocket watch for you is something a little bit simpler? You also need to decide on color, because while the case is almost always some type of metal, the dial can have colors like black, white, blue and more.
To help you on your way to finding the best pocket watches, we have done the power research to find the best products currently on the market, and we have put together this buyer guide to clear up some concepts and make sure you head down the right path.
Case Material
The case of a pocket watch can be made of more than one material; there are stainless steel pocket watches, which are often affordable, and they are more resistant that watches that are made of for example gold, but materials like gold, silver, bronze, brass, titanium, and aluminum also have their perks.
Deciding what case material you want your watch to have will narrow down your options and help you find the best possible pocket watch, and while stainless steel is a material that you will find in many of the options out there – some people are just more drawn to other metals. Remember that a watchmaking brand may provide specific instructions for how to clean the metal used in their products, so make sure you check this before making any final decisions.
Design
Now let’s talk about design! When looking for the best option for a pocket watch, it is easy to forget that they can look vastly different, so you need to have an idea of whether you are looking for something simple and plain, or something a little bit more extravagant. A skeleton dial watch will provide you with a product that is entirely different from, for example, a hunter watch, and some Swiss watches may have their own designs.
If you are a person who prefers more discrete watch options – go with a smooth surface watch, but if you would rather have something eye-catching that draws attention right away – then perhaps a nicely crafted and engraved watch front is what you need?
Crystal
The window of a watch can also differ, and this is the transparent material that covers the dial. Exclusive (and expensive) pocket watches will often have Sapphire crystal – a luxurious material that does not scratch easily.
A cheaper material is acrylic glass, but this does the opposite of the Sapphire crystal and can easily get scratched and scraped. A good budget option is a mineral glass, as this is also very resistant and durable, and the key to getting to keep your new pocket watch in good conditions for longer.
Waterproof Pocket Watches
Not all pocket watches are waterproof, and not even the best ones are! It is important to check this carefully before you start using your new pocket watch, to avoid an unfortunate incident. You must also remember that a waterproof watch is not the same as a water-resistant watch and that just because a product is said to be water-resistant – it doesn’t necessarily mean you can go for a swim or hop in the shower while wearing it.
What are the best pocket watches to collect?
If you are interested in collecting, then the best watch for your pocket is most likely a classic timepiece with mechanical movement.
When did pocket watches go out of style?
Now the real question is, did the pocket watch ever go out of style? They became less popular for a few decades, yes, but collectors and watch enthusiasts continued to collect their Charles-Hubert Paris watches and other pocket watch brands, and the general public is now starting to remember these gems as well.
How much are pocket watches worth?
You can find both very expensive watches and more affordable options, so it is hard to set a fixed value. You often get what you pay for in terms of materials, so how much a pocket watch is worth depends entirely on the brand, the model and how the watch was made. It is in your power to pick the pocket watch that is best for you, whether that be a Charles-Hubert Paris pocket watch or something a little more budget-friendly.
Conclusion
This will hopefully have helped prepare you for starting the journey towards finding the best watch for your pocket, and we will hereby leave you to your search for the ultimate time telling gear. If you have never owned one of these beautiful watches before, then it is about time you give it a try, because nothing compares to leaving your cellphone in your bag and instead of fishing a watch out of your pocket when someone asks you for the time.
Expert Tip
Always pay attention to the product specifications before buying a pocket watch, and make sure you know what you are purchasing, in terms of material and any additional features.
Did You Know
Before people started carrying their pocket watches in their pockets, these types of watches were usually worn around your neck like a necklace.