Anyone who owns a pocket watch or heirloom watch often adds a pocket watch chain to complete not only the functionality of the timepiece but also to accentuate the appearance. The chain whether worn on the belt or vest hints that there is something special attached to the other end.
Pocket watches bring back memories of the railroad workers who were required to wear them in order to assure train schedules were kept. The image of the train conductor checking his pocket watch attached to a chain on his uniform vest and calling out “all aboard” is familiar to many people. This style of watch became very popular timepiece for both men and women until after World War I.
The chains for men’s watches are available in two basic styles for men. The belt loop variety slides over the belt loop with a lobster claw or spring ring type hook and the watch is then slid into the pocket for storage. The vest chain comes in a single or double variety and attaches to the vest button and is then slid into the pocket or pockets of the vest for storage. The chain attachment to the watch is determined by where the loop and winding mechanism are located and is attached in various ways such as lobster claw and spring ring closures.
The ladies also wore pocket watches during the Victorian and Edwardian times, as wristwatches had not yet become popular. They wore them on slide chains around the neck as jewelry or with embellished pocket clips, that attached to a pocket or sometimes worn as pins on the shoulder.
The pricing of pocket watch chains depends on the material used to make them. Pocket watches are available in silver or gold and sometimes an antique metal style, such as antique silver pocket watches. Owners or those searching for gifts may opt for a silver pocket watch chain or one dipped in silver at a lower cost. Specific styles such as a silver dollar pocket watches may call out for a chain that matches it’s style. On the other hand those who own solid silver pocket watches may want to invest in a solid silver watch chain that will certainly come at higher price and may show tarnish with age.
Pocket watches bring back memories of the railroad workers who were required to wear them in order to assure train schedules were kept. The image of the train conductor checking his pocket watch attached to chain on his uniform vest and calling out “all aboard” is familiar to many people. This style of watch became very popular timepiece for both men and women until after World War I.
Pocket watch chains come in a variety of styles and chain link types. Selection is certainly a matter of choice and there are a wide selection available in jewelry stores and websites, discount and warehouse stores, department stores that have jewelry departments and online shopping sites.