1880 Pocket Watch

Surely you’ll find the exact 1880 pocket watch you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, Silver and Enamel — can elevate any look. You’re likely to find the perfect 1880 pocket watch among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 18th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 20th Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic 1880 pocket watch over the years, but those made by Elgin, Patek Philippe and American Waltham Watch Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful. A 1880 pocket watch of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring Diamond, from our inventory of 23, is particularly popular. A rose cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also bead and round cut versions for sale. Most of our 1880 pocket watch for sale are for women, but there are 210 pieces available to browse for men.

On average, a 1880 pocket watch at 1stDibs sells for $789, while they’re typically $103 on the low end and $38,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Can you pull off a vintage pocket watch? Of course you can. With a suit and a waistcoat, a pocket watch can be a refreshing alternative to a wristwatch.

The earliest pocket watches were luxury items, and, owing to cost, they weren’t commonplace until the 19th century. Artfully crafted pocket watches were a symbol of wealth, and manufacturers such as Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe became known for theirs. (Today, they’re among the most sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.)

At the onset, pocket watches resembled small round table clocks, and pulling your small round table clock — perhaps of the silver variety — out of your breast pocket in front of someone else demonstrated unequivocally that you cared about punctuality. For collectors, pocket watches are big, and that means a larger canvas provided for functions without crowding the dial. For example, the Marius Lecoultre pocket watch — made circa 1890 — does everything but uncork your wine.

In the late 1800s, the open-face pocket watch became a staple on the American railroad. It was a requirement for railway workers to wear a pocket watch, as the timepieces were responsible for keeping conductors on schedule. This was a boon to the watchmaking industry, with companies like Hamilton, the Elgin National Watch Company and the Waltham Watch Company producing high-grade and workingman’s watches.

By the 1930s, wristwatches comprised the bulk of watch manufacturing in America, superseding the pocket watch. Suddenly, if you wanted to know the time, you merely glanced at your wrist. But given their vintage charm and our general appetite for good design, pocket watches are a piece of statement-making jewelry and today can prove complementary to your formal attire in a manner that is stylish and unconventional.

Let time take its course — browse a vast selection of antique and vintage pocket watches available on 1stDibs designed by legendary brands such as IWC, Cartier and more.