Pocket watches are a lost art. Featuring a style of yesteryear, it’s not as convenient as a wristwatch, but it adds a classic flair to any outfit. It has a certain aura of traditionalism: having one means you respect tradition and what it has done for the watch movement.
A true watch aficionado should have a pocket watch in their collection us here at Gracious Watch help you add one to your suit pocket.’
Five Picks Under $500
Seiko SVBR003
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Specifications
Movement: Quartz
Diameter: 50mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance: Unknown
Coming from Japan is a Seiko train watch. Featuring classical hour indices, the cursive numerals solidify the status of a pocket watch being a classical accessory. Featuring a stainless steel case, this is a more subdued version of dressy piece in contrast to your typical gold casing.
It has a braided rope watch chain and different from the traditional gold chain as well.
Charles-Hubert, Paris 3972-GSeiko SVBR003
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Specifications
Movement: Mechanical
Diameter: 53mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance: 0m
This example is Charles-Hubert, which is not a big brand marquee but offers unparalleled service such as lifetime warranty. The 3972-G has an exhibitionist face and a second subdial, which are main features of a traditional museum-style pocket watch. More traditional than the Seiko example, this one is a good example without paying too much money.
Stuhrling Original 6053.33113
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Specifications
Movement: Mechanical
Diameter: 48mm
Crystal: Krysterna
Water resistance: 0m
Another example is from Sthurling Original, which is known for giving customers no-frills timepieces. This is another mechanical example, with a simple steel case and exhibitionist watch face. Keeping up with traditionalism, the hour markers are in roman numerals and there are subtle details such as a well-designed crown at 12 o’clock and a multi-layered steel case.
Bulova Classic 96B270
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Specifications
Movement: Quartz
Diameter: 50mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30m
Bulova is a fine manufacturer and this piece from their Classic collection is a more modern look on a traditional piece.
Featuring Arabic hour markers and a more subdued design than earlier examples, this Bulova has more contemporary design and is less outlandish. Different from other examples as well, as this Bulova has a dependable quartz movement.
Tissot Savonnettes T83655313
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Specifications
Movement: Quartz
Diameter: 49mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance: 30m
This example from Tissot is a mix of both. Featuring traditional roman numeral hour markers and a modern quartz movement, this has a fair compromise of modern internals in a traditional package. I like it.
This has a different flair from the Bulova example, and would be a good contender for your first pocket watch.
Five Picks Between $500 and $1,000
Tissot Savonnette Mechanical T83445113
Tissot Savonnette Mechanical T83445113 Review | Customer Reviews | Check Prices
Specifications
Movement: Hand-wind mechanical
Diameter: 49mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance:Â None
Continuing from the Tissot collection, this is a higher-up Savonnette featuring a fully mechanical movement. Featuring a gold case and traditional roman numeral indices, there are more design cues in this piece, especially if you focus on the hour and minute hands. It could be similar straight-line arms, but Tissot added more to it, and they didn’t have to. I like it.
Orient Epoch DD00001W
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Specifications
Movement: Mechanical
Diameter: 40mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 0m
As you move up in price, more quality examples pop up on your radar, such as this Japanese-made Orient Epoch. Featuring a railway-style setup, this has a traditional layout with a 40 hour power reserve gauge at 9 o’clock.
With a checkered texture watch face, it adds some oomph to an otherwise mundane, yet trustworthy piece.
Mondaine A660.30349.16SBB
Mondaine A660.30349.16SBB Review | Customer Reviews | Check Prices
Specifications
Movement: Quartz
Diameter: 51mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance: 0m
As the official Swiss Railways timekeeper, Mondaine has created an iconic face with their design. Bold, dark hour indices, with a red lollipop second hand is pure Swiss railway design. Now you can have it in your pocket! With a quartz movement, you don’t have to worry about winding but just what time the next train will be coming so you don’t miss it.
ZIIIRO Titan
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Specifications
Movement: Digital
Diameter: 48mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance: 0m
Here’s a little funky number Ziiro. Called the Titan, it’s a different and fun way on how to read time. Based on a pure digital layout and while it may have a high learning curve, it’s just habit and then it’ll become like clockwork.
If you wanted something truly modern and unique, then the Titan is a good source for inspiration.
Rapport London Oxford
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Specifications
Movement: Quartz
Diameter: 52mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance: 0m
For more than 100 years, Rapport is a small, bespoke manufacturer and has created timepieces and apparel online. This particular example stood out because the ‘Oxford’ not only has a second subdial, but also a day/date indicator. It’s a little busier than the earlier examples, but a great example nonetheless.
Five Picks Between $1,000 and $1,500
Catorex 170.1.1810.121
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Specifications
Movement: Automatic
Diameter: 48mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance: 0m
Started in 1858, Catorex has Swiss beginnings and the La Pautele is an oversized example of Swiss traditionalism. Featuring railway-style numbers and luminous markers, it has an aura of Americana. Featuring a second subdial at 6 o’clock, it’s great example of traditional piece.
Bernex BN22301
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Specifications
Movement: Mechanical
Diameter: 51mm
Crystal: Acrylic
Water resistance: 0m
Next up is Bernex, which is a pure Swiss-made pocket watch company, and we’ll have 2 fine examples for you. This is the first one with the BN22301. Featuring a polished case and a simple traditional face, the mechanical example is Swiss engineering to a tee.
Featuring a crown at 12 o’clock and legible face, it’s a great heirloom-to-be.
Bernex BN22307
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Specifications
Movement: Mechanical
Diameter: 53mm
Crystal: Acrylic
Water resistance: 0m
This next example of Bernex is slightly bigger, and different design from the earlier piece. Featuring a hunter case and textured face, this has more elegance but for the price range that you can afford. Hand polished case shows great craftsmanship that can’t be bought anywhere else.
Tissot Bridgeport T8594051927300
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Specifications
Movement: Mechanical
Diameter: 37mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water resistance: 0m
With a 48 hour power reserve and a double opening case, you can see the time and the movement if you wish. However, the front has a visible skeleton face if you want to glance at the masterpiece it’s housing. Tissot is known for creating stellar pieces and the Bridgeport is no exception.
Victorinox Travel Alarm 241461
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Specifications
Movement: Quartz
Diameter: 52mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30m
With this example, it’s a more rugged example of traditional pocket watch with slight water resistance. Designed by the same company that creates Swiss Army knives, this Victorinox is rugged and dependable.
Meant as a travel watch, it has an alarm function as well as a rugged clasp protector. It’s built to last and definitely not your grandfather’s example.
