Modern "pocket" watches?

S

Sid Post

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
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I have tried wearing various watches and I just can't wear them without getting a rash, especially in high heat high humidity conditions. In less extreme conditions I can wear some of them without issues. As I sit here itching and scratching my wrist, I began thinking of the classic pocket watch.

What pocket watches do the forum'ites use or consider for purchase? I'm looking for either a durable quartz model with a large face and hands that can be read in the dark or a modern digital version. I'm mostly interested in a good digital models with classic functions like an alarm clock, multiple timezones, atomic clock synch ... though a good analog model would get my attention too. Ideally I'm looking for a pricepoint of ~$100 but, $200~$300 is possible for the "right" pocket watch.

TIA,
Sid
 
Charles-Huber:t Hunter, love mine.

Mine is a limited production and is in a deposit box so i cant give ya an exact pic but it looks kinda like this

3537.jpg
 
kamagong said:
Those are called cell phones...lol.

- Christian
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LOL...

Because Christian took my joke... I would hit up the forums over at watchuseek.com they might know of a few... or find a nice watch that suits your needs and likes, remove the band and have a nice leather satchel made for it... (BTW have you tried an all leather band?)
 
kamagong said:
Those are called cell phones...lol.

- Christian
Click to expand...

Hell, the other day I was on a call after a tornado hit here, and I had my PPE on, so my watch was hard to get to. I saw a guy with a watch, and asked him the time... he then proceeded to dig for his iPhone and got the time from it.
screwy.gif
 
theHobbyist said:
(BTW have you tried an all leather band?)
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Yes, including the hypo-allergenic ones. They all give me a rash.

Rubber and nylon are a "no go" too, at least if I want to avoid the itching. It makes me a little sad that I can't wear any of my good watches for very long without dealing with the allergic reaction. I have a lot of premium mechanical watches from years past that just sit on the watch winders these days to be admired from afar ... :(
 
Sid Post said:
Yes, including the hypo-allergenic ones. They all give me a rash.

Rubber and nylon are a "no go" too, at least if I want to avoid the itching. It makes me a little sad that I can't wear any of my good watches for very long without dealing with the allergic reaction. I have a lot of premium mechanical watches from years past that just sit on the watch winders these days to be admired from afar ... :(
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Well that sucks... I can only go with my original suggestion of removing the bands from a watch that fits your fancy and have something made... A couple of examples of what

[link] - Second one down
[link] - This one is nice too

I'm a real big fan of supporting the local economy. So from right here in the Sheaths and such area,

[link] - From Here!!!

There may be a nice pocket watch out there for you that fits all of your needs. But if there isn't that is the only way I see it happening for you
 
I know there's one Seiko quartz pocket watch that's made in Japan. I remember seeing it when I was looking for around online for a Seiko Alpinist. I think it was a bit over $200.
 
Does it have to be a 'pocket' watch as there are many modes out there which are meant to clip onto the belt loop of your pants [and dangle] which I feel would work great.
 
MSgt said:
Does it have to be a 'pocket' watch as there are many modes out there which are meant to clip onto the belt loop of your pants [and dangle] which I feel would work great.
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I'm open to other suggestions. A true dangler doesn't appeal to me for work reasons but, I have found various zipper pull things useful on coats for outdoor use. If it's appropriate for "dockers" in an office environment, I'm open to other options. :)
 
Westclox Pocket Ben. I owned one like this

20120326083213StylePhotos880.jpg


and another with a sweep second hand. No water resistance, very little impact resistance, gained or lost a minute or two daily and they ticked REALLY LOUD. But they were cheap and they could last a long time if you were careful handling them.

They went out of production in 1990 and have no (as in zero) collector value. There are hundreds for sale on the big auction site. I saw alleged new old stock for $40 and working used ones starting at $15. Adjusted for inflation, the new price is what I paid for my last one at Sears in 1976 ($10). There was a wino liquor store across the street that sold sundries: cards, dice, hair picks, straight razors and dollar watches. On impulse I walked in and they had the same damn watch for $2 less. I guess the moral of the story is never buy a watch at Sears.
 
HMT, the Indian watch company has a sort of gaudy, but inexpensive mechanical pocket watch, for 49.99 that can be found on that one auction site that we all know. It's not modern, but inexpensive, and not something you see very often. They use simplistic, but serviceable movements from what I understand.
 
Sid Post said:
I'm mostly interested in a good digital models with classic functions like an alarm clock, multiple timezones, atomic clock synch ...
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Just re-read your question. Analog pocket watches come in three varieties: real expensive, real junk, and vintage. But you are really looking for a digital stopwatch which shows time of day and date.

Timex T5K491

61krr3s%2BVxL._SL1000_.jpg


Don't know about atomic clock synch, but there are quite a few with time, date and stopwatch function.
 
Piso Mojado said:
Just re-read your question. Analog pocket watches come in three varieties: real expensive, real junk, and vintage. But you are really looking for a digital stopwatch which shows time of day and date.

Timex T5K491

Don't know about atomic clock synch, but there are quite a few with time, date and stopwatch function.
Click to expand...

Excellent idea! That's one I have not considered at all. THANKS!

:)
 
I have similar problems and there's a simpler solution. Remove the wristwatch band or have the band removed. Keep the pins. Get a loop of 550 cord, Spectra cord, or what have you. Spectra cord will work as-is, but 550 cord will have to be gutted. Cut a length of cord, run one end under the bottom-side pin (or install the pin once the cord's in place), then either knot and flame, or use a cord-end. Stuff the watch IWB and you're good to go.

It may lack class, but I find it low-profile, cheaper and less bulky than a pocket watch, with more features. It's secure enough that I've been using the same Timex with it for over 10 years with only a few scratches to the lens. It also doesn't use up valuable pocket space.
 
+1 for Charles Hubert. I own the cheapest model they make and it's still a gorgeous and very functional watch. I believe they have a lifetime warranty for the internal mechanisms as well. I managed to lock mine up (overwound it, I think) and they fixed it for free, no questions asked.
 
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