I would really love a functional old pocket watch... I have many pocket watches I've collected over the years, I mostly collect old pocket watches from the 1800s and early 1900s none of them work. Some still tick tho. The problem with old pocket watches is that they don't work and even if they do work they wont work right and this is because all old pocket watches require servicing by a watch maker, which involves the watch being dismantled and cleaned and reassembled and oiled and this is a big job and costs hundreds to thousands, this is why the majority of old pocket watches hold little to no value no matter how old they are. Unless they are made from a precious metal or are of certain brand names such as Rolex then some have value but most generic old pocket watches don't have any.
They are nice pieces of history and nice to look at. I did attempt to see if I could repair a pocket watch, I bought the watch makers tools and an ultra sonic cleaner, I had practiced on a couple of old scrap pocket watches to begin with but it was a harder and tricky than I thought. I'm no good at it so I gave up before I ruin any watches further. Best just to leave them alone and appreciate them as they are.
I have thought about making some of my own old pocket watches from old pocket watch parts and then using a modern movement or even finding a small enough simple digital watch piece to fit inside one.
They are nice pieces of history and nice to look at. I did attempt to see if I could repair a pocket watch, I bought the watch makers tools and an ultra sonic cleaner, I had practiced on a couple of old scrap pocket watches to begin with but it was a harder and tricky than I thought. I'm no good at it so I gave up before I ruin any watches further. Best just to leave them alone and appreciate them as they are.
I have thought about making some of my own old pocket watches from old pocket watch parts and then using a modern movement or even finding a small enough simple digital watch piece to fit inside one.
Last edited:
