Victorian Pocket Watch
20th Century North American Pocket Watches
Gold
Antique 1880s Pocket Watches
Diamond, 10k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s British Victorian Pocket Watches
Silver
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Pocket Watches
18k Gold, Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Late Victorian Pocket Watches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Pocket Watches
Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Swiss Victorian Pocket Watches
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Early Victorian Pocket Watches
Silver, Enamel
Late 20th Century British Victorian Pocket Watches
18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Victorian Pocket Watches
Quartz, 14k Gold, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pocket Watches
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s Early Victorian Pocket Watches
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1890s Swiss Late Victorian Pocket Watches
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian Pocket Watches
18k Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century Pocket Watches
Antique 19th Century Victorian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Link Bracelets
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century English Victorian Antiquities
Gold Plate
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian More Desk Accessories
Wood
Antique 19th Century French High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century High Victorian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
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Victorian Pocket Watch For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Victorian Pocket Watch?
A Close Look at Victorian Jewelry
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A pocket watch pocket is called by a number of names. You will sometimes see people refer to it simply as a watch pocket. Other names include a coin pocket or a fob pocket. Find a variety of antique pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- What is the best pocket watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021The best pocket watch is a matter of preference. 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. Brands like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet are internationally renowned makers of pocket watches. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage pocket watches.
- How do I store pocket watches?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022How you store pocket watches is largely a matter of personal preference. Generally, you should keep them in a storage container designed specifically for stowing delicate items, such as a velvet-lined jewelry box, a watch box or on a watch stand. Shop a variety of antique and vintage pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- What is a pocket watch fob?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A pocket watch fob refers to the chain or ribbon to which a pocket watch is attached. Its purpose was to make the watch more readily accessible to the wearer. You’ll find a variety of pocket watch fobs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Fusee pocket watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A fusee pocket watch — named for the French word fusée — is an antique type of watch with a crescent pulley and a curved groove around it that is wound with a cord or chain. The chain is attached to the mainspring barrel. Find a range of vintage fusee pocket watches on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The way to speed up your pocket watch depends on the specific model of timepiece that you have. To avoid damage, take it to a watch repair shop with experience repairing pocket watches to make adjustments. You'll find a selection of pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- What is a hunter pocket watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A hunter pocket watch is a pocket watch with a metal case that has a spring hinged lid to cover the watch face and protect it from damage.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024The most highly sought-after pocket watch will vary over time as trends in collecting do come and go. However, some pocket watches remain consistently popular among collectors. These timepieces include dress watches, such as those crafted by Elgin, Audemars Piguet and Patek Phillippe; railroad pocket watches produced by makers like Illinois and Hamilton; and military timepieces manufactured by Rolex and Omega. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of pocket watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024What the most expensive pocket watch is will vary over time as luxury watchmakers release new models. In 2019, Patek Philippe set a record when a brand new Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 fetched an auction price of $31 million, making it the most expensive pocket watch ever sold. Before that, another Patek Philippe model, a 1932 Henry Graves Supercomplication, held the record. Explore a wide range of pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To know if your pocket watch is valuable, consult a licensed appraiser. Choose one with experience appraising antique and vintage timepieces. Having your pocket watch evaluated by a knowledgeable professional is the only way to be certain of its value. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique and vintage pocket watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024To change a battery in a pocket watch, you must first remove the watch back. Depending on the type of watch, you may need a specially designed tool or a precision screwdriver to accomplish this task. Once you have the back removed, you may need to remove parts to access the battery and perform the replacement. Because there is so much variability in timepiece design and you could potentially damage your watch when removing the back and other parts, experts recommend having an experienced watch repairer replace the battery. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of pocket watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The best way to determine the year of a pocket watch is to identify and look up the serial number. Pocket watch serial numbers can be located inside the watch once you remove or open the back cover of the watch. Shop a wide range of pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022How to open a Howard pocket watch depends on its design. However, experts recommend that you don't attempt to open one yourself. Instead, take the piece to a watch repair center that has experience servicing pocket watches. Doing so will help you avoid damaging the timepiece. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Howard pocket watches.
- Does Rolex make pocket watches?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Rolex made pocket watches from 1905 through to the 1970s. The last pocket watch released was a small, ultra-formal 18 karat piece. Own a piece of history by shopping a selection of Rolex pocket watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To open a Hamilton pocket watch, take it to a reputable watch repair shop. Experts advise against opening antique pocket watches on your own because special tools are necessary to avoid damaging the timepieces. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Hamilton pocket watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Pocket watches come in a variety of sizes but the most popular sizes for women are 0s, 6s and 8s. Measuring pocket watches is a bit confusing and to make it easier a 0s is1.166”, a 6s is 1.367” and 8s is 1.433”. So it’s fairly safe to say that an average size for a woman’s pocket watch is between 1 and 1.5 inches. Find vintage and contemporary pocket watches from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A minute repeater pocket watch comes with a repeater that chimes the time by pushing a button. They come with three different chimes; the hours have a low chime, minute by a high chime, and quarter hours by a sequence of two chimes. Shop a range of antique and vintage pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A pocket watch chain is called a fob, or watch fob. They can be made in a variety of materials, but most often appear in a metal that matches the case of the watch itself. Shop a collection of antique watch fobs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a 17 jewel pocket watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A pocket watch with 17 jewels is called a fully jeweled watch. For the mechanical movement, it uses jewel bearings from the center wheel pivot to the balance wheel. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of antique and vintage pocket watch options.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021Like its hunter-case cousin, the half-hunter pocket watch features a protective lid or case that protects the face of the watch. The distinction is that the case front has a viewing window that allows the owner to check the time without having to open the pocket watch lid. The hours are frequently inscribed in blue enamel on the exterior lid itself, making it possible to tell the time without opening the case. Shop a range of vintage half-hunter pocket watches on 1stDibs.
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