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Gentlemen's pocket watch

Posted on: 09/27/2018
 

Author: Martin Cinolter

Women adorn themselves with rings, necklaces, tiaras, brooches and other jewellery – this we all know and admire. But which piece of jewellery was traditionally a man's domain? Yes, that's right – watches. However, this is no longer the case, and even on delicate women's wrists, one can see remarkable watchmaking craftsmanship. Pocket watches were, are, and probably always will be, a male accessory.

Pocket watches, also known as "onions", are a traditional men's accessory, also because they were designed to complement men's attire. Watches were worn in a vest pocket, and their presence was indicated by a chain to which they were attached. It's been nearly 450 years since they first started ticking in the pocket of a Swiss gentleman.

Sadly, I must say that the centuries of their glory and brilliance are long gone. With the advent of wristwatches, something of the old-world elegance and tradition was lost – did you know that watches were often passed down from father to son and thus were not only timekeepers but also part of the "family silver"?

If I were to move you with a powerful story in which pocket watches play a role, listen to this: Russian fur trader Sinaj Kantor embarked on a voyage across the ocean in 1912 with his wife Miriam. When I tell you the ship was called the Titanic, I suppose I don’t need to suggest how the journey ended. Sinaj Kantor perished, but his wife survived. It was quite difficult to retrieve her husband’s belongings, but eventually, they were returned to her – including the pocket watch. The silver watch with a dial featuring Hebrew numerals and an image of Moses holding the Ten Commandments was auctioned this year for 1.3 million CZK.

As I’ve already mentioned, pocket watches are not exactly a hot fashion trend. However, if you were to visit the races at Ascot or meet any European aristocrats, pocket watches would surely be all around. Both antique and new models from famous watchmaking brands.

Antique pocket watches can also be a beautiful decoration for your interior, so if you're looking for an original gift for a man, pocket watches are the perfect ace up your sleeve (or in your pocket). Visit our antiques shop, where you'll be dizzy from the selection of onions, and you’ll have to own one, even if you have to go straight to the tailor to have a vest made to wear it.

Martin Cinolter