OK, I realize this might be a goofy question for a fly fishing bulletin board but here goes…
I like carrying a pocket watch instead of wearing a wrist watch. However, I am having trouble finding one that holds up well to the rigors of outdoor use. I think moisture, dirt, getting banged around , etc. are the main problems.
Can any of you who carry a pocket watch recommend a brand, model, etc. that will hold up better than the “cheapies” that I have been using? I would rather spend $100 on a good one that will last for several years than have to keep fighting the $20-$30 models I have tried.
Royce,
What a nice subject to bring up! My Grandpa carried a pocket watch and I’ve always been fascinated by them. You know! The GOLD pocket watch was what they used to give you when you retired. Now they give you a swift kick in the pants! :lol:
I will do some research on pocket watches and get back to you.
Doug
In the food service business things like wrist watches and rings are only in the way and collect germs so I carry a pocket watch for work.
Unfortunately when you carry a watch in your pocket it tends to get pretty banged up.
Since it’s only for work, a $10 watch works best for me and when I kill one I just get another
Not much help, huh
Found some interesting Pocket Watches!
I went with dudley’s comments on looking for cheaper, practical watches, but my eyes wandered into nicer watches.
Wenger Swiss Army PW, $225.00 Very Nice!
Montana Silversmiths Eagle PW, $90.00
Musical Train PW, $36.99
Euro Geneve 14k Gold Men’s PW, $1700.00
Karim Rashid PW, $90.00 Very interesting Dial.
I can see how tempting it would be to buy a high end watch but dudley’s right!
Doug
I quit wearing a wrist watch on my 18th Birthday. I know this because I lost my last wrist watch that day when I took it off to wash my hands in a restaurant where I was having dinner. I’ve never owned another one since. I bought a Westclox Bull’s Eye at a local hardware store and haven’t looked back since. For a few years I carried that watch but probably for the last 20 years I’ve not routinely found a use or need for any watch.
At work we have clocks everywhere, the car has one, the computer has one, and the infernal cell phone has one. Who needs a watch? I still have the old Bull’s Eye, now over 30 years old. I put it in my pack when I go hunting, mostly for old time sake. During quiet time in the woods I can even hear the beast ticking, love that sound! If I ever have to have a watch it will be a pocket watch so I’ll watch this thread closely for the board?s recommendations.
My apologies for the semi-hijack of the thread but it just brought back too good of a pocket watch memory.
I don’t wear or carry a watch of any type.
I do however have a pocket watch given to me by my uncle. It a Howard - 17 jewel - made in USA with a double gold back. I’ve had the watch cleaned and it keeps perfect time. He gave it to me about 50 years ago. My mother told me he had won it in a pool game in the days when he was a hustler. He’s been dead for over 30 years. I have fond memories of the man that I won’t go into here but I cherish the watch.
The two I most often use are an 18 size 17 jewel Waltham, and a 16 size 17 jewel Waltham. Both are hunter movements, but are set in an open face case (sometimes called a “sidewinder”). Really, I don’t see why any well made watch wouldn’t work just fine as long as you take a few precautions:
If you (and the watch you’re wearing) get dunked in the stream, open up the watch case when you get home to let the movement dry to prevent it from rusting. You also may need to have it re-oiled by a qualified watchmaker if it seems to not be keeping good time.
Keep the watch secured to your person. Wether its a chain, a fob, or whatever, find some way of keeping the watch from falling out of your pocket.
Don’t put anything else in the pocket that you keep your watch in.
No, really, don’t put anything else in that pocket!
Get you watch serviced every couple of years by a qualified watchmaker.
My watches all keep time to within about 5 seconds a day, and I go fishing with them about once every other week- not too bad, considering the newest one I have was made in 1932. Oh, and I don’t think I’ve paid more than $50 for any one of them. Hope this helps.
Photojoe4,
I just wanted to tell you sincerely, that your reply was a ‘Pleasure’ to read! What a Honor it is to hear from someone who is a expert about carrying Pocket Watches! It is a treasure from our past and thank you for keeping it alive.
Doug
Bought one a few years back to carry in my vest pocket. Suit coat vest type. The one I bought was kind of a set up. In that period of my life I mixed with some folk that let’s say were kinda on the snobish side. Inevitably someone would ask the time, (my time to shine), I’d pull out my gold watch attached to my gold chain, and gaze at ole Mickey Mouse and tell them where the hands were pointing to. Some would hoot, some would scoff, I had a blast! Still have it. Cheap as dirt, but it still works!
Mike K.
I have one that I only take to Lodge meetings , my lodge jacket has a watch pocket in it so it won’t get scratched. In my day ( old guy alert! ) all pants and jackets came with a watch pocket. Even blue jeans had a watch pocket.
I recieved a gold watch at my retirement dinner. I worked in the tower at the airport for 22 1/2 years. On the Day I retired I went out on the outer walkway above the ramp. The ramp crew all friends of mine and part of the crowd who bought me the watch, were just finishing up re-fueling the noon jet. I had put on an old beat up gold looking watch that had hung around the lost and found for at least 20 years. I yelled down to the guys Hey I am now officially no longer employed by anybody. As they cheered and offered yahoos and congratulations I yelled I guess I won’t be needing this gold watch after all. I then flung it down on to the tarmac where it shattered. Shocked silence followed till someone picked up the cheapo watch and began to laugh. It was one of my biggest and best “GOTCHAS” ever.
You may want to check out the Dakota pocket watches. They are great watches. I have been using one for a couple of years with no problems. I think most outdoor sporting stores have them.
I kill watches … stop watch some call it … was even given a Seiko kinetic … killed the capacitor … so … I was hunting for a pocket watch as well. Found one last year at a flea market, 10 bucks, and had a great whitetail forest scene etched into the back. Well, it was worth 10 bucks too, but a bit of fidgeting and it keeps ok time (for a day). But … I hardly use it. Go fishing before sunrise, stop when it gets warm. Then when it starts to cool off, start up again and stop when I can’t tie on a fly any more … :?
good luck on your hunt … I’ll be keeping an eye here to see what you might find …
I bought a waterproof wristwatch with a velcro band and keep it on my belt loop. I can’t stand a band on my wrist, it’s too dangerous doing construction work anyway. Also, I don’t have to dig into a pocket to find it, just reach down and there it is.
Doug, I’m far from an expert, but I am quite fond of them Another thing I forgot to point out is that the old “railroad” grade watches were/are really a lot more durable than most people realize- they were made to withstand the rigors of train travel, AND keep time to within 30 seconds a week! A “railroad” grade watch might be a bit pricey, though (most I’ve seen start at around $3-400). If you want just a nice mechanical pocket watch, I’d say you should look for a 15-17 jewel 16 or 18 size from the major U.S. makers (Elgin, Illinois, Hamilton, Waltham, Hampden, South Bend). You should probably also look for one that has either a base metal, stainlesss steel, or nickel silver (Silveroid, etc…) open face case. Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with.
