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contact Pocket watch conversions, a 20th Century Evolution

World War I jump-started the shift from pocket to the wrist as soldiers needed a “hands-free” timepiece in combat conditions. The resulting trench watches were among the first mass-produced men’s wristwatches and soon trickled down to civilian life, eliminating the stigma of wristwatches being a women’s accessory. Although the inevitable decline of pocket watches had begun, they were often expensive, prized possessions. Heirlooms, in fact. Many owners just couldn’t relegate a thing of such value to a dusty drawer, while manufacturers and retailers scrambled to keep production models relevant.

What to do? Well, weld some lugs to the case and attach a strap,

et voilà.

Many early wristwatches were actually pocket watch conversions, existing alongside dedicated wristwatch manufacturing. It was a creative and experimental time as the industry was again evolving, and designs were all over the map.

Nowadays no longer considered a ladies watch, in fact ladies are now wearing the same!

Pocket watches were traditionally made in two configurations, open face and hunter. These configurations refer to the placement of the crown, which was determined during the manufacturing process based on the movement orientation. In open face pocket watches the crown is positioned at 12 o’clock. In contrast, hunter pocket watches feature the crown at 3 o’clock and include a protective cover over the dial, providing added durability and protection. The chosen configuration directly influences the overall design and the resulting configuration of the wristwatch conversion.

Pocket watch conversions, a 20th Century Evolution

LEFT hunter pocket watches feature the crown at 3 o’clock.

RIGHT open face pocket watches the crown is positioned at 12 o’clock.

Chanel

 Cortebert

Fortis

Hamilton

Hand Made

IWC

Jacob Jenson

Lange and Söhne

LeCoultre


Longines

Molnija

Navaho Ind Panerai

Patek Philippe

Pierre Cardin

Rolex Padellone

Rolex & Marconi

Submariner

Swiss Silver

Technos

Tiffany

Thos. Read wall clock

Union Lange and Sohne

Ulysse Nardin

Zenith  

Norwich wall clock

Omikron Moonphase


Union Lange and Sohne Longines Skeleton Tiffany-Agassiz wristwatch

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Pocket watch conversions, a 20th Century Evolution

T h e r e    i s    n o    b e t t e r    g i f t    t h a n    t i m e

Patek Philippe Chanel wristwatch

For full information on all movements, spare parts, new straps, bracelets and tools visit SwissWorldWatches.com

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