For those who value the finer things in life, pocket watches have never really gone out of style. Yet, over the past decade or so, they've come roaring back into high fashion. While it's true that antique pocket watches are hot collectors' items, even new pocket watches are valued and treasured by those who love fine timepieces.
Hunter watches are among the most popular styles of pocket watches. If you're looking for a beautiful piece of jewelry to give as a special commemorative gift - or simply want to add to your repertoire of accessories - one of these may fit the bill perfectly.
For those who don't know, hunter watches are contained in a protective hinged case that will prevent the dial and the watch crystal from getting scratches and damage. These are the traditional antique timepieces most people imagine - the watches that railroad conductors carried tucked into their vest pockets. The case is held closed by a spring catch that opens with a push on the winding stem.
Pocket watches differ. The stem, or crown, may be at the 12 o'clock position and the hinge at the 3 o'clock position. These are known as Savonnete watches. However, sometimes the stem is at the 3 o'clock position and the hinge is at the 6 o'clock position - the bottom of the watch face. If this is the case, it is known as a Lepine watch.
One of the misconceptions about hunter watches is that they were once made only for gentlemen. The truth is, many of these fine pieces of jewelry were made for ladies of the Victorian era, often as pendant watches. Ladies' pendant watches were often inset with gemstones and engraved with vines and flowers. Men's timepieces were equally ornate, often engraved with coats of arms or family crests.
From the middle of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, hunter timepieces were the signature accessory for gentlemen. These timepieces were often gifted to young men, with the thought that they were now old enough to be responsible for keeping their own time. A young man might receive a new pocket watch when he entered into business, and businesses often gave engraved pocket watches to employees upon their retirement to honor their loyalty and contribution to the company. Even today, we talk euphemistically about "getting a gold watch."
Today's watches come in styles reminiscent of the elegantly engraved and chased timepieces of a bygone day, but there are also many new styles that strike a decidedly modern tone. These especially popular with kids who espouse a goth fashion aesthetic or enjoy dressing in steampunk style. Some modern watches are engraved or embellished with military insignia or with professional emblems, such as firefighting or the medical profession's caduceus.
Pocket watches make fine gifts for both young men and young women on any special occasion. While antique timepieces can be pricey and often need restoration, there are many companies that make fine hunter watches for excellent prices. You can even find wholesale pocket watches online to make them more affordable as very special gifts.
Author Resource:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")