Blog
Guides and insights from the world of antique pocket watches.
Elgin Pocket Watch Collector's Guide
The definitive guide to collecting Elgin pocket watches. From the legendary Veritas and Father Time railroad grades to elegant dress models. History, key grades, and what to look for.
Read Article →Illinois Pocket Watch Collector's Guide
The definitive guide to collecting Illinois pocket watches. From the iconic Bunn Special and Sangamo to the innovative 60-hour movement. History, key grades, and what to look for.
Read Article →Waltham Pocket Watch Collector's Guide
The definitive guide to collecting Waltham pocket watches. From the flagship Vanguard railroad grade to elegant Riverside dress models. History, key grades, what to look for, and current price ranges.
Read Article →Hamilton Pocket Watch Collector's Guide
A comprehensive guide to Hamilton's most important pocket watch grades. From the legendary 940 and 946 to the pinnacle 950, 950B, 992, 992B, and 992E.
Read Article →Our Pocket Watch Specifications Explained
A comprehensive guide to understanding the specifications listed in our pocket watch descriptions — from grades and jewels to movement configurations.
Read Article →Rare Ball Hamilton Official Railroad Standard 999B
The legendary Ball Hamilton Grade 999B Model 5 — one of just 27,600 produced — represents the pinnacle of Webb C. Ball's railroad timepiece legacy.
Read Article →Hamilton and Waltham Display Case Railroad Pocket Watches
Discover the rare "salesman display case" pocket watches — specially constructed with a crystal back to reveal the inner workings of the movement.
Read Article →Elgin Veritas Railroad Grade 239 with 21 Jewels
The Elgin Veritas — named for the Latin word for "truth" — was built for the greatest speed, longest runs, and the most trying tasks of burden.
Read Article →Rare Elgin Veritas Railroad Grade 453 with Up/Down Wind Indicator
One of the most fascinating yet misunderstood features of a pocket watch — the Up/Down wind indicator was limited to watches of the highest quality.
Read Article →Turn of the Century Hamilton Railroad Grade 940
The Hamilton Grade 940 cemented the company's legacy as the railroad timepiece company of America, capturing 59% of the market share.
Read Article →Rare Hamilton 950B Railroad Pocket Watch
The Hamilton Grade 950B — with its superior balance design and solid gold train wheels — was the most accurate railroad grade pocket watch of its time.
Read Article →Custom Elgin Scissor Hand Pocket Watch in Solid 18K Gold
An 1886 Elgin housed in an 18k solid gold hunter case with scissor hands — a hand engraved masterpiece that survived the Depression era.
Read Article →Waltham Gentleman's Dress Watch in Solid 14K Gold
A perfectly preserved 1886 Waltham — one of just 200 made that year — housed in an immaculate solid 14k gold case with stunning engine turning.
Read Article →Waltham Dress Pocket Watch in Solid 14K with Exceptional Dress Dial
This 1903 Waltham Model 1883 is the very essence of an upper class gentlemen's pocket watch — you might even call it the Rolex President of its day.
Read Article →Stunning 14K Rose Gold Elgin Commemorating the USS Maine
This 14k gold Elgin offers a direct link to the night of February 18, 1898, when the USS Maine blew up in Havana harbor — a crucial event in American history.
Read Article →Rare Illinois Railroad Bunn Special Type III c.1929
A 60-hour Bunn Special marking a crucial transition — the peak of Illinois' pocket watch production after 59 years as an independent watchmaker.
Read Article →Rare Turn of the Century Hamilton Railroad Grade 946
A first year production run Hamilton 946 — one of just 1,100 produced in 1906 — with a stunning Art Nouveau hand-engraved case.
Read Article →Rare 23 Jewel Ball Hamilton Grade 999N — The Official Railroad Standard
The Ball Watch Company didn't make pocket watches — they rebranded other watchmakers' timepieces with stringent quality control, resulting in America's finest.
Read Article →Hamilton Railroad Grade 992 with Original Box, Paper and Pouch
A perfectly preserved 1927 Hamilton 992 with its Montgomery Safety Dial, complete with original pillow-soft sleeve, matching serial number box and booklet.
Read Article →Hamilton Model 23 Chronograph — WWII Military Issue
The Hamilton Model 23 Military Chronograph helped the Allies win the war — a flyback chronograph relied upon by pilots, navigators and bombardiers.
Read Article →Rare Illinois Railroad Grade 163 in Stunning Two Tone Case
A museum quality 60-hour Bunn Special — 23 jewels, pristine dial with bright red lettering, and a magnificently detailed two tone case.
Read Article →Types of Pocket Watches
From pair cases to salesman displays, explore the seven distinct types of pocket watch cases developed over the past two centuries.
Read Article →How to Set a Lever Set Pocket Watch
Watch Jeff's video guide and follow along step by step. Covers winding, finding the lever, setting the time, and replacing the bezel for all case types.
Read Article →Ball Trainmaster Secometer Pocket Watch
A detailed review of the Ball Trainmaster Secometer pocket watch. Does this modern take on the classic pocket watch compare to the originals?
Read Article →Addicted to Pocket Watch Collecting — Beware!
Take a delightful journey into the world of pocket watch collecting and see how curiosity can quickly become a passion.
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