What is a pocket watch?
A pocket watch, as it is called in English, is a watch that is worn by putting it in a suit pocket or somewhere similar.
The history of pocket watches is very long, with records of them being used as early as the 17th century (1600s). At the time, there were very few watchmakers who could make pocket watches, so they were considered luxury items owned only by a select few royalty and aristocrats.
However, with the development of watch technology and the establishment of a production system with consistent quality, it became possible to manufacture and supply the market steadily, and over time, pocket watches have become available to many people. Brands with a history of over 100 years have their origins in pocket watches, and there are a few brands that still manufacture and sell pocket watches today.
Initially, it was introduced from overseas, and there are records of famous historical figures using it.
- A Waltham pocket watch presented to the 14th Shogun, Tokugawa Iemochi, by U.S. President Buchanan in 1860, via a Shogunate delegation visiting the United States during the Edo period.
- A Longines gold watch given to Saigo Takamori by Shimazu Tadayoshi, lord of the Satsuma domain, in 1869.
After this, in 1879 (Meiji 12), Tokusaburo Ohno, a disciple of Norichika Ohno, handcrafted the movement and case of a pocket watch, which is said to be the first pocket watch produced in Japan. Eventually, watch brands were established in Japan, and pocket watches began to be manufactured and sold domestically.
In short, pocket watches have a romantic quality. They have a strong sense of fashion and attention to detail that cell phones and smartphones don't have. They were also popular as an important fashion item for workers and railroad workers in the old American West.
Want to have something different from others? Don't just look at the time? Pocket watches have long been loved by people like you.
Pocket watches are attractive for their beautiful decoration and traditional low-beat movements (the mechanism inside). Because there are a variety of designs and movements, there are many collectors around the world. In this case, most people collect them as works of art rather than as a tool for telling time.
"I want to have something different from everyone else."
"Just watching the time is boring."
Pocket watches have long been loved by such people.
They are also indispensable for people with metal allergies and those who cannot wear wristwatches for work.There are also pocket watches, such as railroad watches and nurse watches, which have long been popular as work accessories.
There are four different pocket watch shapes:
Open Face
This pocket watch has no lid on the case. When you take it out of your pocket, you can instantly check the time. Its structure makes it difficult for dust to get inside, so it is recommended for those who want to use it for a long time.
Hunter Case
This type of pocket watch has a lid on the case to protect the crystal (glass). It is popular among people who want to experience the atmosphere of pocket watches used in movies.
Half Hunter Case (Demi Hunter Napoleon)
This type has a round hole drilled into the lid of the hunter case mentioned above and a glass piece fitted in. Many also have a 12-hour display on the lid so that the time can be checked even when the lid is closed.
skeleton
This type uses glass for the dial and case, allowing you to see the movement inside. Unlike other pocket watches, the movement inside is often decorated, and is commonly seen in high-end pocket watches. Mechanical pocket watches have a unique appeal that battery-operated quartz pocket watches do not have.
There are also unique pocket watches for professional people.
Railway Clock
This pocket watch is actually used by railway workers because it is highly visible and not affected by strong magnetic fields. It is popular among railway watch enthusiasts, and its outstanding visibility makes it a popular gift for seniors and those purchasing a pocket watch for the first time.
Nurse watch (nurse watch)
This pocket watch features a pulsometer (a meter used to measure pulse rate) on the dial and a crown at 6 o'clock for use with a clip. It also has features such as a luminous display and a calendar, making it a popular gift for nurses.
Whether or not a pocket watch has a lid has a big impact on how it is used.
The reason for this is that pocket watches are generally carried in a pocket, and no matter how clean you keep it, dust will find its way into your pocket. Fine dust particles can get inside the watch. In particular, for watches with lids, dust can easily get in through the hinges that connect the lid to the watch body and the parts that fasten the lid.
Precautions for opening and closing a pocket watch with a lid
When opening and closing a pocket watch with a lid, you press the button on the crown to open the lid, but in fact, you also need to press the button on the crown to close the lid, just like when opening it.
When the part that holds the lid shuts with a snap, it can wear out or become deformed, causing it to no longer fit together and making it impossible to close the lid.
This type of malfunction can occur depending on how you use your pocket watch, so please be sure to use it correctly to ensure that you enjoy your pocket watch for a long time.
When putting your pocket watch in your pocket, try to avoid putting it next to keys, a cell phone, etc. This is because the cell phone may cause magnetism and scratch your precious watch.
The best place to put the bag in is a vest pocket, a breast pocket in the lining of your suit, a breast pocket of your suit, or a side pocket, where the pocket area will not move easily.
Another tip when storing the watch in your pocket is to leave the chain part outside. This not only looks cool, but also prevents scratches from rubbing against the watch itself.
If you don't tie a chain or string, there's a high chance that you'll drop it from your pocket or palm. It's safer to tie a chain or string than to wear nothing at all.
When taking a watch out of your pocket, if you pull on the chain, it can cause the ring around the crown to break. When taking a pocket watch out of your pocket, it is recommended that you hold the watch body firmly rather than pulling on the chain.
When used as a practical item
It doesn't matter whether you choose a mechanical or quartz watch. If you plan to carry it around, the important thing to pay attention to is whether the case has a lid or not, rather than what's inside.
When displaying a pocket watch
We recommend a skeleton type mechanical watch that is visually appealing. You may carry one around with you, but we also recommend keeping one as an interior decoration to fully appreciate the charm of a mechanical watch. Displaying one in a tasteful study will add a touch of elegance to the space.
If selected as a gift
Keep the above in mind when making your selection. For example, older people tend to avoid hand-wound watches, which require you to wind the mainspring with your fingertips, and instead choose quartz pocket watches with Arabic numerals, which make it easy to check the time.
However, mechanical pocket watches are not suitable for people who tend to forget to wind the mainspring or who are concerned about accuracy. If left unwound for a long period of time, the oil in the mechanism can harden and cause malfunctions, and the accuracy is slightly inferior to that of a quartz watch. For such people, we recommend the hassle-free quartz watch. Manual-wind pocket watches may be more suitable for experts.
Watches made from 92.5% silver are called "solid silver" and are stamped with "SILVER925" or similar on the case. Compared to plated or stainless steel, solid silver has a distinctive white shine and is a high-quality material that is often chosen as a keepsake or gift.
Silver is softer than stainless steel, making it more susceptible to scratches and dents. It also oxidizes when exposed to air, just like a 10-yen coin. To maintain it, you can polish it regularly with a silver polishing cloth to maintain its distinctive white shine.
On the other hand, the charm of solid silver is that it fades to a dull color over time, giving it an antique feel. You can enjoy watching it change over time without polishing it too much, which will be a pleasure to keep it for a long time.
Silver is a high-quality material, but if you're looking for something a little more affordable, there are also silver-coated items with a "silver finish" that look like pure silver. Even though it's a coating, polishing it won't reveal the base unless you do something extreme (like hitting it hard or scraping it with sandpaper, etc.). Choose the right material to ensure it lasts a long time.