A pocket watches has been a favorite item of collectors for a very long time. To a collector, a pocket watch exemplifies workmanship, perfect timing, and timeless ingenuity by its makers. If you would like to learn more about pocket watches, you have to take a look at their interesting features and intricate details.
Pocket watches are classified, and judged according to how good they look, and how well they work. Here are some of the usual features of a pocket watch, and a short description of each. It is my hope that this will help peak your interest in these special timepieces.
1. Key Wind Pocket Watch - These are the pocket watches mostly referred to as the fussee watches. It uses a fine, small chain from its barrel going to a cone, called the fussee. It is assumed that this was invented by the famous Leonardo Da Vinci.
2. Marine Chronometers - These are pocket watches that are mostly used at sea. Long before the dawn of the 21st century, mariners found it hard to keep track of time while they are at sea. They would rely mostly on the sun, and the position of the stars. As a result, accuracy was always a question. Since the introduction of this type of pocket watch, nautical navigation has never been the same.
3. The American Railroad Pocket Watch - Railroad maintenance, during the early ages, required precise timing. Without it, the results would be quite disastrous. It is not far fetched to picture two trains crashing into each other simply because there was a discrepancy in their time table. It was during the turn of the 20th century that the railroad pocket watch was invented. It was a highly accurate watch, and worked well even with a railroads rigorous conditions, and extreme weather.
4. Multi-jeweled Pocket Watch - Indeed, there are watches that are made for the high and mighty, for the royal and the wealthy. These pocket watches were introduced in the 1800s, during the time when jewels were playing a very important role in society. Pocket watches of this type do not need to be very accurate nor durable. They just needed to be well designed, and be artistically decorated with fine jewels and sparkling stones.
5. Hunter Case Watch - These are pocket watches that have a front cover to protect their face. Watches that do not have a front cover are simply called an open face watch. The cover was invented so that the watch became more durable and resistant to breaking, especially when worn outside.
6. Two-Tone Pocket Watch - Two-tone pocket watches, as the name suggests, are pocket watches that are multi-colored. This adds more to the ornate design and the craftsmanship of the pocket watch. These were to become a fad at the beginning of the 20th century.
7. The Unusual Pocket Watches - These are pocket watches that are rare and considered one-of-its-kind. Although unusual pocket watches are not necessarily of high value, it is quite and interesting timepiece. The unusual feature of this watch may be found in its dials, in its cover, or in its way of telling time. Serious pocket watch collectors, and hobbyists can easily spot an unusual pocket watch from a regular one.
These are a few of the common pocket watch types that were observed being used over the centuries. There could be many others, but these were the watches that have made their mark. Pocket watches are nice, timeless, and ornamental. Owning one is a luxury.
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