I have a friend at work that will be getting his 25 year award at work and the company always buys the employee a new watch for this event. There is a limit to the amount and it must come from a retail outlet and must be engraveable on the back (no glass back). He is wanting a pocket watch as he does not wear watches on his wrist (actually keeps a wrist watch in his pocket). Are there still any manufacturers of new pocket watches these days?

Steve

The only one I can think of off the top of my head is Calibri, and they are engravable. The only places I've seen them ARE in jewelry stores. Might want to check there.

Regards !Mark

Steve,

I know Invicta sells new pocket watches through retailers. I am very pleased with the Invicta wristwatch I bought here on IHC185 from Lin Riddle, so I'd suggest you look into an Invicta as they are very good watches

Thanks guys, I will look into those. I found this site (click here) but I have no idea of the quality. Price range is in the $800.00 or so range. Any comments on the makes?

Steve

Steve,

Does it have to be new? Several retail jewelry stores in my area have estate jewelry and carry old pocket watches.

3-600 dollars will get you a heck of a nice 21J vintage pocket watch!

happy hunting,

Steve, My Jeweler also has Estate Watches that he sells, none that I've seen are really collectible, and he also sells the Colibri....In fact my daughter-in-law, bless her heart, bought one for me on my birthday this year....I wouldn't recommend them as a retirement gift....

The ones in the link that you provided look very nice especially the Sterling Silver....If they have any Solid Gold ones, that is what your friend deserves....

Good Luck,

Regards,
Jerry

Steve,

Google "Aerowatch". I have seen these full size pocket watches in a few stores here in SF and they actually look very nice. They also have 17 jewel Swiss movements made by Unitas I think. They are not cheap but look as though they will last. I've even seen these PW's in solid gold.

Good luck.

William

Sorry folks. I only suggested Calibri as the words 'limited budget' was stated. Since it's a 25th anniversery gift and not a retirement, that's where my suggestion came from.

Every company I've worked for likes to recognize their workers longevitiy, but NO employer these days wants to spend THAT much money for someone they'll still be seeing the next morning after the presentation.

When my Dad got his 25th anniversery watch from Goodyear Atomic back in the 80's, he got an Accutron 218 (the one I now own after he passed away). I knew at that time that the company paid $60 for the watches (there were several 25 year veterans that came down the pipeline in a 2 year period), and that included special engraving.

As a side note, when I received my 15th anniversery gift from the University of Tennessee, I received an unmarked quartz wrist watch with a lapel pin. I later saw the same watch at Wal-Mart for $5. If I make 25 years, maybe they'll at least put the UT logo on the face of an $8 watch or something.

So, just how much IS the budget, if we may ask Steve?

Regards! Mark

Mark, that is a good question....
Quote:
So, just how much IS the budget, if we may ask Steve?
Unquote:

Regards,

Jerry

Mark

Don't worry about your suggestion, I wish I had gotten one of those after 25 years. When I retired I got an empty pinata in the shape of a police car. Why a pinata I have no clue & why empty even less. Really made me feel like I was appreciated.

Tom

Hi Steve..There's a company, Andy H. Weaver, in W. Farmington Ohio, that has new pocket watches made for them...They sell a nice looking quartz RR style watch, about 16s, has a gothic Montgomery dial and even has a screw back & bezel case.Should be engraveable.I bought one several years ago.It runs forever on a battery, and is under a hundred bucks!

I got mine a couple of years ago and the budget was $850.00 which had to include the engraving. My Cyma listed fro about about $1000.00 but I persuaded the jeweler to make it the alotted price and he agreed. I went for every penny I was entitled to.

Steve

Wow! Well, if that's your budget, I'm sure you can find a LOT of good candidates for your money....a lot better than the empty pinata that Tom got!

Regards! Mark

Steve

Have a look at this site:

Pocket watch central

Different brands, each watch has the engraving areas listed + engraving service.

Regards,
Gerald

Gerald,

Yes, I found that site as well thanks and I passed it along to my fellow worker, but I have no idea to the quality and craftmanship of the brands. Do you or anyone else have any comments about these manufacturers?

Steve

Some of the pocket watches shown in the "Pocket Watch Central" collection resemble the one I bought recently for .99cents from Hong Kong.