April 16, 2010

The pocket watch is a fascinating small bundle of mechanisms that astounds and interests collectors of historical gadgetry. Plus individuals  have been interested in them since the pocket sundial of the 10th century. 

During the fifteenth century, a little pouch, or pocket, was worn around the waist for the wearer to carry his valuables, like coins, a note and even a clock. Italian clock maker, Bartholomew Manfredi had a scathingly brilliant plan to create plus sell his new pocket watches to the nobility. As a 15th century novelty item, there was not a good deal of interest. 

The spring-driven pocket watches dates to the sixteenth century, but they were cumbersome, inaccurate, drum-shaped spherical boxes measuring many inches wide and thick. Even so, a master locksmith from Nuremberg, Peter Henlein had the market covered. For the most element, they were expensive curiosities to be worn as a pendant around the neck. But they were becoming popular. Later during the century, they were shaped into ornamental forms of flowers, insects or human skulls. 

In the seventeenth century, trendy Charles 11, who had a robust interest in gadgets plus all things  mechanical, introduced the waistcoat to the nobility. The pendant watch was quickly changed into the slender waistcoat pocket watch. Locate antique pocket watches here.

The 17th century mechanisms had not changed a great deal since the clock was initially invented during the thirteenth century, until Robert Hooke and Christiaan Huygens invented the balance spring, increasing the accuracy over longer periods. 

Mechanical enhancements to the pocket watch continued with each passing decade, resulting in the traditional pocket watch shape and size known today. 

The accuracy and quality of pocket watches varied greatly from 1 watchmaker to another. The the majority of well-known collectible pocket watches come with those made by Elgin, Waltham, Ball, Patek Philippe, Howard, an assortment of Railroad Watches. American Civil War buffs love the pocket watches created throughout the period and they are highly sought after. 

It’s difficult to obtain a terribly old or early pocket watch, but they show up from time to time. Nearly all, even the damaged pieces are in museums or already extant in collections. eighteenth century pocket watches, while still rare do show up for auction and are regularly found online. 19th century pocket watches are more common plus easily found in good working order.