Skip
With Chrono24 Buyer Protection, your purchase is in good hands
Chrono24 - Canada
Log in or register

View
Sort by
Information about the ranking of search resultsLearn more
Rolex Chronograph Very good Steel 47mm Manual winding
Promoted
Rolex Chronograph
Mappin pocket chronograph Montbrillant caliber
C$53,864
+ C$90 for shipping
Panerai Panerai Tourbillon GMT Ceramica Pocket Watch Very good Ceramic 59mm Manual winding
Panerai
Tourbillon GMT Ceramica
C$111,828
+ C$209 for shipping
Ebel Very good Yellow gold 34mm Manual winding
Promoted
Ebel
Gondole Dress / Pocket Watch like Cartier
C$4,576
+ C$153 for shipping
Very good Yellow gold 52mm Manual winding Canada, Vancouver
IWC Schaffhausen 14k Gold
C$4,164
+ C$83 for shipping
Elgin H. H. Taylor Unworn Yellow gold 55mm Manual winding
Elgin
14K Multicolor Hunting Case Model H. H. Taylor
C$19,594
+ C$280 for shipping
Waltham Waltham Very good Yellow gold Manual winding
Waltham
No. 610
C$4,479
+ C$139 for shipping
Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Good Yellow gold Manual winding
Patek Philippe
Waltham Railroad 18K Yellow Gold Manual-Wind Movement Pocket Watch
C$10,917
+ C$111 for shipping
Good 59mm Manual winding Canada, Surrey
English Fusee Centre Seconds Chronograph
C$425
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Patek Philippe Very good Silver Manual winding
Patek Philippe
Hunter case bassine style silver Extract
C$13,576
+ C$181 for shipping
Elgin 50mm Manual winding
Elgin
C$1,190
+ C$140 for shipping
Patek Philippe Vintage 600/2 Good Yellow gold
Patek Philippe Vintage
1950's Vintage Pocket Watch Yellow Gold White Arabic Dial
C$27,292
+ C$210 for shipping
Patek Philippe Patek Philippe Very good Yellow gold 44mm Manual winding
Patek Philippe
Pocket Watch 1930 Original 18kt
C$9,377
+ C$223 for shipping
Elgin Very good Silver 53mm Manual winding Canada, Vancouver
Elgin
Veritas Dual Time Railroad Watch
C$1,645
+ C$55 for shipping
Elgin Grade 162 (RARE) Unworn White gold 50mm Manual winding
Elgin
Grade 162 Three Finger Bridge (RARE)
C$1,260
+ C$280 for shipping
Ulysse Nardin
Ulysse Nardin
38375: 18k Yellow Gold Pocketwatch Size 45mm
C$4,899
+ C$175 for shipping
Patek Philippe Gondolo Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo 56mm Very good Rose gold 56mm Manual winding
Patek Philippe Gondolo
Chronometro Gondolo 56mm 22 Lignes Pocket Watch 18K Rose Gold
C$13,989
+ C$210 for shipping
318 Very good Yellow gold 40mm Automatic Canada, Winnipeg
SIGMA VALMON Very RARE DISPLAY Back 1950 10K Gold Filled Sigma Valmon 12S Pocket 21 Jewel Pocket Watch
C$1,765
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Patek Philippe Good Silver 55mm Manual winding
Patek Philippe
Ultra Rare 55mm Silver Deck & Pocket Watch
C$6,228
+ C$139 for shipping
Patek Philippe 153239 Good 49mm Manual winding Canada, Brossard
Patek Philippe
pocket watch silver 900
C$8,500
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Patek Philippe 119207 Good Rose gold 44mm Manual winding Canada, Kingsville
Patek Philippe
Pocket Watch
C$6,900
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Good 43.2mmmm Manual winding Canada, Tecumseh
Rolex
Pocket watch
C$2,200
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Zenith Very good 50mm Manual winding Canada, Maple Ridge
Zenith
2224950
C$650
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Patek Philippe Vintage 600/2 Very good Yellow gold Manual winding
Promoted
Patek Philippe Vintage
600/2
C$14,126
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Elgin Grade 156 Hunting Case Unworn Yellow gold 52mm Manual winding
Elgin
14K (0.585) Grade 156 3 Finger Bridge
C$4,479
+ C$280 for shipping
Tiffany
Tiffany
Omega 14k Yellow Gold Pocketwatch Size 45mm
C$3,499
+ C$175 for shipping
Very good Yellow gold 52.5mmmm Manual winding
Le Phare (Swiss) Minute Repeater Chronograph w 30min Register Top Grade Pocket Watch 18K Solid Gold
C$13,296
+ C$210 for shipping
Audemars Piguet Very good Yellow gold 46mm Manual winding
Audemars Piguet
Unique Early 1900s Extra Special Quality 18K Gold Pocket Watch
C$5,248
+ C$139 for shipping
Patek Philippe CO Very good Yellow gold 46mm Manual winding
Patek Philippe
for Tiffany & Co. Split Second Pocket Watch T&CO Pocket Watch
C$26,522
Free shipping
Chopard 3014 Very good Yellow gold 42mm Automatic
Chopard
Pocket Watch
C$3,653
Free shipping
Very good
Gregg London Antique Victorian Sterling Repousse Cased Verge Fuse Pocket Watch
C$3,917
+ C$139 for shipping

Chrono24 Buyer Protection

The Safest Path to Your Dream Watch

More information

Chopard 10A386-5111 New Rose gold 30.5mm Automatic
Chopard
NEW UNWORN BOX + PAPERS Chopard L'Heure Du Diamant Green Malachite Dial Watch 10A386-5111
C$78,378
+ C$111 for shipping
A. Lange & Söhne Very good
A. Lange & Söhne
Pocket Watch Chronograph with creeping 30 min register #10
C$88,028
+ C$175 for shipping
J B Hudson & Son Jewelers Very good Yellow gold 46mm Manual winding
C. H. Meylan 7 Adjustment 14K (0.585) Gold (Very Rare)
C$4,899
+ C$280 for shipping
Doxa Yellow gold
Doxa
14k Yellow Gold Hunting Case Art Deco Pocketwatch size 48mm Circa 1930's
C$3,499
+ C$175 for shipping
Good Rose gold 51mm Manual winding
B. Poitevin Fab. (Paris) OF Minute Repeater Pocket Watch w/Jewels to Hammers & Wolf Teeth Winding 18K Solid Gold
C$11,897
+ C$210 for shipping
Good Rose gold 53mm Manual winding
J. Assmann Glashütte Rare 14K Rose Gold 53mm Heavy Pocket Watch
C$5,248
+ C$139 for shipping
Patek Philippe Gondolo YG GONGOLO POCKET WATCH Very good Rose gold 56mm Manual winding
Patek Philippe Gondolo
Chronometro Gondolo GONGOLO POCKET WATCH
C$13,926
Free shipping
Panerai Special Editions PAM00446 Very good Ceramic 59mm Manual winding
Panerai Special Editions
PAM 446 - Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramic with Chain
C$99,232
+ C$140 for shipping
Patek Philippe 983j Good Rose gold Manual winding
Patek Philippe
983J 18K Gold
C$48,636
+ C$111 for shipping
Very good Yellow gold 52mm Automatic
Pocket Watch 52MM 18K YELLOW GOLD MEN'S WATCH
Price on request
+ C$125 for shipping
A. Lange & Söhne Very good
A. Lange & Söhne
Seconde Morte Pocket Watch #8
C$92,227
+ C$175 for shipping
Illinois 23 Jewel 60 Hour Bunn Special Unworn Yellow gold 52mm Manual winding
Illinois
23 Jewel Railroad Bunn Special 60 Hour Marked
C$1,400
+ C$280 for shipping
Very good
Watrin de Mairy andapos;a Paris Watrin de Mairy 'a Paris pocket watch 18k 50mm watch
C$9,978
+ C$140 for shipping
Omega Fair 47mm Manual winding
Omega
1899 Omega Pocket Watch with a Nickle Case ( 11938)
C$1,330
+ C$105 for shipping
A. Lange & Söhne Good Silver 53mm Manual winding
A. Lange & Söhne
Ultra-Rare 53mm Silver Case Niello Finish
C$4,829
+ C$139 for shipping
Patek Philippe World Time 5231G-001 Unworn White gold 38.5mm Automatic
Patek Philippe World Time
Complications World Time Rare Handcrafts
C$208,541
Free shipping
Audemars Piguet 25712PT.OO.0000XX.01 Very good Platinum 59mm Manual winding
Audemars Piguet
Grand Comp Pocket Watch Platinum with Enamel Dial and Platinum Chain
C$307,912
+ C$140 for shipping
Longines Longines pocket watch Very good Yellow gold 45mm Quartz
Longines
Pocket Watch Longines
C$7,270
+ C$111 for shipping
H.Moser & Cie. Steel 38mm Manual winding
H.Moser & Cie.
Pocket Watch Conversion Stainless Steel Silver Dial 38mm
C$1,400
+ C$111 for shipping
A. Lange & Söhne Very good
A. Lange & Söhne
PW #17
Price on request
+ C$175 for shipping
Elgin Elgin Wind Indicator Very good Yellow gold 50mm Manual winding
Elgin
Wind Indicator BW Raymond Power Reserve (Railroad Model)
C$2,239
+ C$280 for shipping
Philadelphia Watch Case Co. pocket watch 18k 44mm watch
C$3,359
+ C$140 for shipping
Good 52mm Manual winding
Unbranded Antique Pivoted Detent Chronometer Pocket Watch Runs Swiss High Grade Nickel
C$1,540
+ C$112 for shipping
Longines 2394772 Very good Yellow gold Manual winding
Longines
4 Grands Prix
C$6,858
Free shipping
Good Yellow gold 50.4mm Manual winding
PARKINSON & FRODSHAM DEMI HUNTER
C$7,838
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Very good Yellow gold 54.9mm Manual winding
Pocket Watch Very Exotic Anonimo 18K Yellow Gold 55 mm Day Date Spanish Watch
C$10,917
+ C$70 for shipping
Rolex Very good 41mm
Rolex
Pocket Watch 25 World's Records Reference 2199 Unpolished
C$2,519
+ C$111 for shipping
7050SH Very good Yellow gold 53.5mm
E. Howard & Co. 1870's Antique 18 Size N Pocket Watch with Exceptional Fancy Dial - 18K Gold
C$11,793
+ C$111 for shipping
A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Very good
A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1
1/4 Hour Repeater Chronograph Pocketwatch #14
C$110,422
+ C$175 for shipping
Gotham Sterling Silver Very good Silver 30mm Manual winding
Gotham Swiss Sterling Silver Pocket Watch (Small Size)
C$826
+ C$280 for shipping
1833 Very good
Grandjean pocket watch 1833 18k 55mm watch
C$5,878
+ C$140 for shipping

Pocket Watches: The Gentleman's Timepiece

Pocket watches have a large fan base. The timepieces range from cheap vintage models to extremely rare collector's pieces. World-famous manufacturers such as Patek Philippe have produced the most extraordinary pocket watches.


Highlights

  • Large variety of vintage pocket watches
  • Prices ranging from a few hundred euros to millions
  • New models with mechanical or quartz calibers
  • A. Lange & Söhne pocket watches are especially sought after by collectors
  • Available with a chronograph function, perpetual calendar, or minute repeater

Pocket Watches for Men and Women

Pocket watches have been beloved for centuries, especially amongst collectors and watch enthusiasts. Wristwatches almost made the pocket watch completely obsolete in the 20th century. Wearing a watch on your wrist is simply more comfortable for most people. Originally, it was predominantly men who used pocket watches. In order to not lose the watch, it was secured with a chain. There was a spring ring or clip at the end of the chain, which you could attach to a buttonhole. Men usually carried their pocket watches in their vest pockets , though they kept them in their pants or jacket pockets as well. Women often attached their pocket watches to a chain and wore them as necklaces.

Manufacturers such as Tissot, Regent, or Dugena continue to produce affordable pocket watches. These are powered by mechanical or quartz movements. The number of pre-owned pocket watches available is much larger. The most highly sought-after models are vintage watches from the German manufacturer A. Lange & Söhne. Patek Philippe, one of the most renowned watch manufacturers in the world, is known for their especially intricate pocket watches. The Graves Supercomplication and Calibre 89 were the most intricate pocket watches for decades.


Buying Advice

If you're searching for a pocket watch, you have the choice between countless models. Prices range from a few hundred to a few million euros for very rare, intricate models. Apprentice watches are particularly special watches. They were made by watchmaking apprentices towards the end of one's apprenticeship, making them "journeyman's pieces." Watches from the 19th or first half of the 20th century are extremely coveted amongst collectors. Since there is only one of each watch, they're extremely scarce, and you should accordingly plan to spend at least 30,000 euros for such a rare piece.

A less expensive entry into the world of pocket watches would be a model from Regent, Dugena, or Tissot. Pre-owned Tissot pocket watches cost less than 500 euros, although their gold watches can cost around 2,500 euros. All three manufacturers currently offer pocket watches in their portfolios. You can also find pre-owned pocket watches from the Swiss manufacturer Omega at affordable prices, sometimes for less than 200 euros. However, gold models can cost up to 4,000 euros.

Pre-owned pocket watches from the International Watch Company (IWC) can be purchased for around 800 euros. Gold models, however, are available for 25,000 euros. The prices for vintage pocket watches from Patek Philippe start at around 3,500 euros. However, there are also models that cost nearly one million euros. The Graves Supercomplication , a special order pocket watch for the American banker Henry Graves, Jr., sold at a Sotheby's auction in 2014 for 23.2 million Swiss francs (CHF), making it one of the most expensive watches in the world. The Patek Philippe 89 is slightly less expensive, although it's still one of the most intricate pocket watches ever produced. In 2009, it sold for around $5 million at an Antiquorum auction.


The History of Pocket Watches

Pocket watches have been around since the 15th century. The invention of the spring drive made pocket watches possible, as it enabled the entire watch movement to be miniaturized. Before then, large grandfather clocks were powered by weights attached to chains which wound the movement. The oldest known watch with a spring drive dates back to 1430 . It features a fusee, which equalized the uneven pull of the mainspring. This watch belonged to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, and is on display at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum (Germanic National Museum) in Nuremberg.

Peter Henlein, a locksmith from Nuremburg, was one of the first to use a spring drive together with an escape mechanism in a wearable watch. He was able to get the watch down to pocket watch size using this construction, and the shape of the timepiece resembled a can . One of these models is on display at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremburg. The German town of Nuremberg was the center of watchmaking in the 15th century. Historians know it as the "Silicon Valley of the Middle Ages" due to the many inventions made in the town.

These can-shaped watches, which were most likely carried in bags, eventually developed into wearable watches fashioned onto chains. Since the first portable watches still weren't very accurate, they only had an hour hand. This changed in the mid-17th century when better escapement systems were developed, resulting in portable watches with both hour and minute hands.

The majority of older pocket watches are unsigned, as adding company names and logos wasn't common practice until the 19th century. Sometimes you're only able to tell the origin of a watch based on its construction, design, or decorations.


Pocket Watch Cases

In the 16th century, pocket watch cases were often spherical or box-shaped. Over time, the case developed into the common flat design we know today.

Pocket watches are classified as either Savonnette or Lépine, an important distinction. The Lépine version is named for the French watchmaker Jean-Antoine Lépine. In this construction, the seconds display, winding stem, and crown are all in line with each other. Lépine pocket watches have no spring cover, and thanks to their construction, they're especially flat. This makes them well suited as tailcoat watches. Savonnette watches, on the other hand, have a spring cover protecting the dial and watchglass which can be opened by a push-piece. The term "Savonnette" comes from French and means "little bar of soap." Savonnette pocket watches have the seconds display at six o'clock, and the crown is on the side at three o'clock. This construction makes it easier to hold and use: You can hold the pocket watch in your right hand and use your thumbs to operate the spring cover push-piece and read the time.

Pocket Watch Cases

  • Lépine: Crown, winding stem, seconds hand in line with the winding stem, no spring cover
  • Savonnette: Seconds display at six o'clock, crown on the side, spring cover for protection

Intricate Pocket Watches

Pocket watches can do much more than just show the time. The most intricate pocket watches come from the Swiss manufacturers Patek Philippe, Breguet, and Vacheron Constantin.


The Graves Supercomplication: 24 Complications

With a total of 24 complications, the Graves Supercomplication held the record for the most intricate pocket watch for decades. It features a perpetual calendar , double chronograph for timing intervals, and astronomical displays . The watch shows the normal time, sidereal time, the sunrise and sunset time, and the starry sky over New York City.

The Graves Supercomplication was custom made for the New York banker Henry Graves, Jr. , a passionate watch collector and Patek Philippe fan. The American car manufacturer James Ward Packard was also a lover of rare Patek Philippe watches. Both men commissioned many watches from Patek Philippe with the goal of beating one another in acquiring the most intricate timepiece. The competition ended with Henry Graves, Jr.'s Graves Supercomplication. Originally commissioned in 1925, the watch was finally completed seven years later in 1932. It took a further 12 months for the watch to reach Graves. Since Packard died in 1928, he was unable to commission any more pocket watches. Therefore, it remains a mystery whether Patek could have made an even more intricate watch than the Graves Supercomplication in the early 1930s.


Patek Philippe's Calibre 89 with 33 Complications

Patek Philippe's Calibre 89 overtook the Graves Supercomplication as the most intricate watch in 1989. With a total of 33 complications, the Calibre 89 set a new record. Among its complications are a double chronograph, perpetual calendar , a moon phase and age display, and a second time zone display . There are also many astronomical displays on the back side of the watch. The pocket watch also has acoustic complications such as a grand and petite sonnerie, a minute repeater, and an alarm function. Patek Philippe only produced four Calibre 89 pocket watches.


Vacheron Constantin's 57 Complications

In 2015, the Swiss manufacturer Vacheron Constantin set a new record. Their pocket watch, reference number 57260, has 57 complications. Vacheron Constantin produced this watch for a wealthy, anonymous customer. The watch features many calendars: a Gregorian perpetual calendar, a Hebrew perpetual calendar, an astronomical calendar function, and a professional business calendar based on the ISO 8601 standard.


A Royal Pocket Watch: Breguet Marie Antoinette

The Breguet pocket watch Grande Complication No. 1160 is, like its predecessor the No. 160, a rarity. An unknown admirer of Marie Antoinette commissioned the watch in 1783 when Breguet was the purveyor to the royal French court. Marie Antoinette was known to be a fan of Breguet. The watch was meant to showcase the watchmaking know-how of the time, and gold was used in lieu of other metals when possible. The automatic watch features a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and a power reserve display. It also displays the equation of time, the daily deviation between the true and mean solar times. The mean solar time is the time we use day in, day out. Breguet finished the watch in 1827, 44 years after it was commissioned. Marie Antoinette had already died 34 years earlier.

The No. 160 pocket watch was on display in a Jerusalem museum until 1983. It vanished without a trace and remained lost for 24 years, until it reappeared suddenly in 2007. Nicolas G. Hayek, the founder of the Swatch Group, commissioned Breguet to remake the No. 160 in 2004. Since the original was still missing at the time, the watchmakers had to reconstruct it using old drawings and reference documents.

Abraham-Louis Breguet was the founder of the manufacturer and is considered a genius master watchmaker. He is the inventor of the tourbillon, a complication which minimizes gravity-related deviations and ensures the watch runs precisely.