Pocket watches coming up for sale

Pocket watches are back in vogue with plenty of good examples turning up at auction.

Two pocket watches made by Waltham

These two pocket watches by US maker Waltham are to be offered for sale at David Duggleby on April 9 with an estimate of £50-£100.

Actor Jonny Depp has often been photographed sporting a pocket watch and when David Beckham rounded off his waistcoat and tails with a pocket watch and chain at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, interest in pocket watches as a fashion accessory really began to take off.

Reasons to consider buying a vintage or antique one include:

  • You don't enjoy a watch cluttering up your wrist
  • Pocket watches can last longer than wristwatches
  • They bring an elegance and distinctive character to your look
  • You enjoy winding it, looking at it and appreciating its history
  • You would like to create an heirloom to pass on

You can find many pocket watches on thesaleroom.com, here we have picked a selection at the more affordable end of the market from two auctions taking place this month:

David Duggleby April 9

Scarborough auction house David Duggleby is holding The Pocket Watch Sale on Friday April 9. There are 142 lots on offer including:

This William IV silver pocket watch by Samuel Underwood of Wolverhampton, has a white enamel dial with Roman numerals. The case has a hallmark for Birmingham 1834.

A Pocket watch by Samuel Underwood

Estimate £100-£150

This pocket watch features countryside decoration with the words 'Speed the Plough'. Its silver case by Benjamin Norton is hallmarked for London 1831.

A Speed the Plough pocket watch

Estimate £300-£500

If Roman numerals aren't for you then try this gold-plated pocket watch made by the Illinois Watch Company.

A pocket watch made by the Illinois Pocket Watch Company

Estimate £150-£250

These four Victorian silver pocket watches are all in the same lot. They all have silver hallmarks.

Four Victorian pocket watches

Estimate £70-£100

This George III 18ct gold cased English pocket watch by John Bolton is hallmarked for Chester 1819.

A George III pocket watch

Estimate £1800-£2200

Mullen's April 11

Auction house Mullen's of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, is holding a timed auction ending on April 11 called Three Centuries of Clocks and Watches. The lots include:

This silver-cased Swiss pocket watch is hallmarked for Birmingham 1926.

A Swiss pocket watch

Estimate €80-€120

This late 19th century pocket watch made by the American Waltham Watch Co comes with some eye-catching decoration.

A Waltham Watch Co pocket watch

Estimate €60-€80

Bid with confidence

We have a guide to bidding in timed auctions if you're new to this type of sale.

You can learn more about pocket watches in our special buying guide.

Search for pocket watches on thesaleroom.com.

 

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