Locating Original Antique Pocket Watches
If you enjoy antiques, there is now doubt that somewhere along the way you have seen antique pocket watches. However locating and purchasing truly authentic antique pocket watches can be a challenge, but it is a fun challenge. The first step is to get familiar with the different styles and manufactures of original antique pocket watches. Knowing these things will help you maximize your investment and make sure that the watch you purchase will have the most value.
Good Antique Pocket Watch Manufacturers
One of the most reputable and long standing manufacturers of pocket watches is the Waltham Watch Company. Based in Waltham Massachusetts, this company has been manufacturing watches since the mid 1800s. Watches from this time period are extremely collectable and can be worth a lot of money to the right investor. They have several famous antique pocket watches including the 1853 P.S. Bartlett watch. This watch originally sold for $40 dollars, quiet a sum of money at that time. If you can find one of these prized possessions, purchase it without hesitation.
Other watches from the Boston Watch Company, and older name for Waltham, are also extremely collectable. These watches were marked Dennison, Howard, & Davis or perhaps C.T. Parker. Again if you find these, grab them while you can because they are in high demand. The Waltham Company went through several changes throughout the 1800s and with each of these changes cam more unique watches, but most of the collectable, antique pocket watches come from before the turn of the century. The company eventually changed to the Waltham name and continued to produce some of the finest examples of pocket watches the world has ever known. Sadly, due to a lack of demand, the company was forced to close in the mid 1950s.
Another company to look for is the Elgin National Watch Company. Founded in 1864 this company produced watches up until the mid 1960s and is another example of fine watch technology prior to 1900. They began producing watches in the city of Elgin, Illinois are highly desirable in the antique pocket watch market.
If you are looking for a non American pocket watch, the company to search for is Rolex. These can be difficult to find in the U.S. however as most were sold overseas. In addition, their watches are not really considered to be true antique pocket watches as the company was founded in 1905. Most of the truly antique pocket watches come from around the civil war era.
