Erusal

Time has often been a valued component, and now becomes a valuable component for those that collect antique gold pocket watches. 

The history of pocket watches extends back to the mid 1400’s, proven by a letter from an Italian clockmaker to a noble.  In the document, the noble is offered what was termed as a pocket clock by the clockmaker.  An entrepreneur of German descent was making pocket watches in 1524 in England using a revolutionary spring technology ; clock faces that exhibited only 1 hand to indicate the hour now took the place of using the sun to tell what time it is.  Time may be guestimated inside an hour or so of the real time.  The minute hand was added much later in the late 1600’s when technology sophisticated even further ; enabling wearers of the watches to gauge time inside minutes of the time.  As technology permitted more specific time gauging, more embellishments were added to meet a growing interest in the watches. 

Portable watches, as they were called in the early days, were first built of steel by blacksmiths and locksmiths as they were used to working with the amalgamate.  Over time, other more acceptable substances were used instead, for example brass, silver and gold.  Jewels and delicate scroll work were added to grace some of the watches to make them more attractive for the rich.  Antique gold pocket watches, especially those with jewels, are especially valuable for collectors due to these gildings. 

Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton, Ball and Illinois are just a few of the early makers of pocket watches whose products are among those valued the highest.  All the way back to the mid 1800’s and of stunning design, many of those watches are wanted as collectibles.  Another popular collector type of pocket watch is a series called Railroad watches.  These timepieces were utilized by train engineers in crucial time keeping schedules for train arrivals and departures.  The accuracy of the watches were more exactly accurate than most, as any variance of time faster or slower could mean sad scenarios for 2 trains on one track.  As with any antique, the value of the item relies on how much a buyer is willing to pay for it. 

The prize of many collectors is antique gold pocket watches, with histories that go back just about 150 years.  Regularly owned by the well to do in society, these timepieces would likely have wonderful stories if they were only in a position to tell more than time.