Pocket watches were first produced in the 1700s, made as the name suggests, to be carried in the pocket. Initially the timepieces were extremely bulky, with some resembling a clock of sorts when worn on a chain around the neck.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, pocket watches offer a level of functionality that modern devices lack. For example, they do not require batteries or regular charging, and they are far less likely to break or malfunction. In a world where technology is constantly changing, the pocket watch represents a welcome return to a simpler time. Whether you’re a fan of vintage style or just looking for a reliable timepiece, the pocket watch is definitely worth considering.
In an age of smartphones and smartwatches, the classic pocket watch might seem like a relic of the past. However, film and television have helped to keep this timeless piece of accessories alive. In recent years, pocket watches have made appearances in shows like Breaking Bad, Sherlock, and Downton Abbey. As a result, many viewers have been inspired to purchase their own pocket watches.
Pocket Watches & The Railway
After a collision on the railway in Ohio in 1891, the jeweler and watchmaker Webb C. Ball was commissioned to design a pocket watch with stringent requirements that could be used reliably and safely as the timepiece to run the railway by. It is possible to find similar pocket watches for sale at reputable dealers of antique items.
Those watches had to several pass tests and must be able to perform in five positions accurately. Also a necessity was the at least 17 jewels along with an open-faced white dial with clear large black numbers.
The watches were popular until the advent of the wristwatch, which were initially termed the ‘trench watch’ owing to its origins. The wristwatch was developed for use in battle, so that a soldier saved time when in combat by looking down at his wrist rather than having to take a watch out of his pocket.
However, vintage pocket watches have regained popularity in recent years, owing to their beauty and elegance which never goes out of fashion. They have become an in-vogue fashion item, undoubtedly inspired by the wearing of them in popular films and TV shows.
TV Shows & Films Making The Pocket Watch Cool & Trendy
1. Peaky Blinders. This epic award-winning crime drama captivated households for 36 episodes from September 2013 until April 2022. The story of post-first world war Birmingham gangsters centered around the Blinders gang, saw Cillian Murphy play the lead role as ultra-cool Tommy Shelby. He and his gang are often seen with their watches on a chain for accurate timings to carry out their actions.
2. The Thomas Crown Affair. Talking of cool, Steve McQueen plays the lead in this 1968 crime classic. Once the highest paid actor in the world, his playing of Crown, was one of his best. A beautiful half-hunter pocket watch perfectly going with everything from his biker jacket to three-piece suit. Perhaps you can see something similar on show at a watch museum?
3. Sherlock. You can find the pocket watch being featured in a series originally aired on the BBC between 2010 and 2017, a British mystery crime drama that is based on the detective stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Praised for its acting, writing, and directing, Sherlock sees Benedict Cumberbatch taking the lead role with his character using a silver pocket watch that comes with a separate dial to check the time. Mycroft Holmes dresses impeccably with his costume finished with an old school silver chain and pocket watch attached to his waistcoat. Very trendy!
4. Poirot. A TV fan will notice Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, the main man in the series, using pocket watches. The three-piece suit of this character, played by David Suchet, is the perfect accompaniment to the pocket watch, resembling the character traits of precision and meticulousness.
These TV shows and films have helped to restore the popularity of pocket watches. Together, these shows and films have helped to remind audiences of the timeless appeal of the pocket watch.
