The history of pocket watches extends back to the mid 1400′s, proven by a letter from an Italian clockmaker to a nobleman.  In the document, the noble is offered what was termed as a [...]]]> Time has usually been a valued component, and now becomes a valuable component for those who 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 nobleman.  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 Britain using a revolutionary spring technology ; clock faces that exhibited just one 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 genuine time.  The minute hand was added much later in the late 1600′s when technology advanced further ; enabling wearers of the watches to gauge time within mins of the particular time.  As technology allowed more definitive time gauging, more embellishments were added to meet a growing interest in the watches. 

Portable watches, as they were called in the beginning, were first assembled of steel by blacksmiths and locksmiths as they were accustomed to working with the alloy.  Over time, other more suitable substances were used instead, for example brass, silver and gold.  Jewels and delicate scroll work were added to embellish some of the watches to make them more tasty for the made.  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 some 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 sought after as collectibles.  Another popular collector type of pocket watch is a series called Railroad watches.  These watchs were used by train engineers in crucial time keeping schedules for train arrivals and departures.  The accuracy of the watches were more precisely correct than most, as any variance of time faster or slower could mean tragic eventualities for two trains on one track.  As with any antique, the value of the item depends 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 virtually 150 years.  Frequently owned by the well to do in society, these watchs would likely have wonderful stories if they were only ready to tell more than time.