What are /r/pocketwatch's favorite Products & Services?

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There are a ton of options on Amazon from $25 - to hundreds. Most are made in China but are solid watches as far as keeping time goes. I have super cheapy open face and it runs great and looks cool. I also own vintage pocket watches also but if you want a skeleton new is definitely your best bet.

In that range you will be looking at typical Chinese movement pieces. Which hey, there is nothing wrong with if it keeps time, it keeps time. That's the point of a watch right?

I did some looking and Charles-Hubert, Paris seems like a decent watch in that range.

Charles-Hubert, Paris 3576-W Charles-Hubert, Paris comes with a lifetime warranty for the watch movement and a one year warranty against manufacturing defects. You can browse their watches further on Amazon or their own site. Something at this price range is a good starting point and can be a good beater watch if you're looking to purchase a more expensive watch in the future. You can get the understanding of owning a mechanical watch without the fear of breaking a $500+ watch.

If that watch isn't something you like let me know and I will look more.

I notice the regulators moved all the way to slow it down

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.watchaccuracymeter.app

Here app that can help you measure the watch timing using the sound of the ticks if you don't have a timegrapher

I see someone hasn’t searched on Amazon. With your budget you’re really overthinking things. VIGOROSO Men's Vintage Full Copper Hand-Wind Mechanical Second&24hours Sub-dials Pocket Watch in Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SO7WRS4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NQNZW2B50JGPHSSD988Q

That is a really nice gentleman's watch made by Illinois. It is probably 15-21 jewels but as others have said you need to open up the back to see the serial number.

What the following video to see how to (and how NOT to) open your case:

https://hooktube.com/watch?v=54h3CsLbU1o

https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Gilbert-Complete-Price-Watches/dp/B00N4FD140/ref=pd_sbs_2?pd_rd_w=yWfBW&pf_rd_p=de2765fe-65e5-4a88-aaad-a915dea49c67&pf_rd_r=STDFYB2PTRXHVB1FCQ67&pd_rd_r=7ed63f41-7c4c-4c7a-af2e-a0c12be62a9a&pd_rd_wg=oFuYO&pd_rd_i=B00N4FD140&psc=1

Per Gilbert, grade is ABP from what I can see (dealer wholesale) $65 if its complete, original and undamaged.

I call BULL SHIT, GO ELSEWARE. I use Golden Images Jewelry in Fort Collins, CO. family owned 3 generations watchmakers. Do call them, let me know what they says. I've had about 10 pocket watches, mostly RR grade, service there. I've NEVER had a surprise cost or "broken" this-that-or-the-other, NEVER. When I find a new watch I take it to them, working or not for a complete teardown which includes replacing minor worn bits, oil, regulate and adjust for $125. Any time I've had a non working watch it's simply because its dirty or a broken main spring. I've had a new crystals and mainsprings replaced for $25 each without or with out a "complete service" (what they call it). These are larger parts so it makes sense. I bet a balance shaft would be similar. Find a copy of this book, https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Price-Guide-Watches-Professional/dp/0891456570 If I had the serial number and model the movement I could look it up for you. My rule is that if its a "dollar watch" (Walmart) what they called it in the old days and worth less than $100 I do the very minimum to make it run.

While not intrinsically valuable, I do wear my great grandfathers railroad pocket watch very frequently. So long as it's strapped good to ya (I prefer braided leather, it'll tear your belt loop before it breaks away.), there shouldn't be much worry if you decided to wear it. But I also totally get why you may not.

As for display, You might like something like This. These are what I put the watches in that I'm not wearing.

Can't find much information but I did find a Henry emsley as a watchmaker in 1891.

It looks like it might have English silver hallmarks which should date it to the year it was made.

As for a key to wind it, you can order them off Amazon. https://www.amazon.ca/Jewelers-Tools-14-Size-Winding-Setting/dp/B005XA35BI

Looks like a Stuhrling watch, a Swiss company.

Looks like a Stuhrling watch, a Swiss company.

Quick search gives me: https://www.amazon.com/Bronze-Roman-Numerals-Mechanical-Pocket/dp/B078GR32TR/ref=sr_1_67?ie=UTF8&qid=1522442931&sr=8-67&keywords=brass+mechanical+pocket+watch

though i doubt the crystal is glass

Congratulations on acquiring a Hamilton 950, it is truly is a wonderful watch. Definitely use a fob when you wear it. If you don't like the look of a metal chain, you can get a leather fob instead. If you watch pocket in your jeans is too small, you can use a pocket watch carrying case instead like the one here: https://www.amazon.com/Itemstoday-Bronze-Leather-Pocket-Storage/dp/B01AUYB5PO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485145936&sr=8-1&keywords=pocket+watch+case

I don't use them. I always use a gold filled or nickle fob with my watch in the watch pocket in my jeans. If my watch pocket is too small, I wouldn't wear a high quality gold filled watch. I'll instead wear a watch with a nickle case with a thick chain, or I would wear a 12s watch. If I have no watch pocket, I'll have my watch in my right pocket and my keys and phone in the other. The screen of my phone is towards my thigh so the keys won't scratch it.

The american watch company is a very good American watch company which was in business for around 100 years. It underwent several name changes to eventually be known as Waltham. If you want to know the value of your Waltham watch, look up the serial number on the movement of the watch. Then with that you can find out the grade of the watch. Then you can search Ebay for similar watches that sold in the past to gauge the value of the watch. Definitely get it serviced by a professional if you haven't done so already, even if you don't plan on wearing it. Your 950 should also be serviced as well.

A vintage or newer Junghans? I'd love to see that! Those are cool watches. I just finished up a 1970's Junghans Astroquartz that is really spiffy. One of the very first quartz watches ever made. It's a little tank of a watch.

Winding them is a good thing. Old watches don't like to sit.

Pocket watches also make great desk clocks if you get one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Watch-Display-Walnut-Silver/dp/B003IWNFV8

I always have some old pocket watch on my desk. I deal in lots of vintage watches, so I always have one lying around that I just serviced. Right now I have a 1940's Tissot pocket watch in it. :-)

For the latter book, is this it?

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Price-Guide-Watches-2016/dp/0982948751

Now I'm thinking this sub could use a list of links and books for resources on the sidebar. I think I'll start gathering my links into a list.

Also links to online stories which have been cited as reliable and price fair.

I mean if you want the Doctor Who watch then get it. Although not accurate to his watch in the show, as his was a hunter case rather than open face. Hunter case Doctor Who watches are out there though. However the quality is quite poor and I've never seen one that mimicked the one from the show very well. This one here is more accurate to the show: http://www.amazon.com/The-Doctors-Watch-Metal-Keychain/dp/B0012D5CH0

You could probably find one on eBay for half that price however. Both quartz movements so their timekeeping will be the same.

Awesome.

Antique pocket watches like that make really cool desk clocks if you buy a stand for it. I have an antique Omega pocket watch on my desk in one of these kind of stands:

http://www.amazon.com/Plymor-Brand-Glass-Walnut-Brass/dp/B006XIQR14

Except I make them myself on my lathe with reclaimed local wood. Mine's black walnut. ;-) I usually have some for sale, but I haven't made one for a while. I should. I only have two class domes left.

Non-mobile: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UCODIA

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

Hey - maybe that'll help.

It sounds as if you're looking more for an heirloom-type watch. If you really want something to pass down, I'd look for an actual Civil War-era pocket watch.

If you get a working one, they make great desk clocks in one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Watch-Display-Walnut-Yellow/dp/B004FJNE5A

Check this out:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Waltham-1857-Civil-War-era-18s-key-wind-pocket-watch-Serviced-1860s-/221675851281

There are watches for sale out there that have an actual Civil War history behind them, too.