Pocket Watches were the most popular since they were first introduced in the 16th century. They used to dominate the portable watch market. Pocket Watches were used by hunters, army professionals, and railroad officials, and were worn by both men and women. However, after the start of World War 1 in the 19th century, pocket watches were gradually replaced by wristwatches as they were more easily accessible and convenient to carry.
But after all these years, pocket watches have still survived and stood the test of time. This is due to their vintage charm, retro looks, historical significance, and elegant looks. As of today, Pocket Watches are more of a fashion accessory and are sought after by vintage collectors and vintage watch enthusiasts as memorabilia of their past glory. So if you are looking for the best quality pocket watches then you have clicked on the right article. Below, I’ve listed 8 of the best budget pocket watches for men and women that are available on Amazon.
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Best Pocket Watch Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Overall  | Spiedel Classic |
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Best Pocket Watch For Men  | Charles-Hubert |
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Most Affordable Pocket Watch  | Tiong Pocket Watch |
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Best Swiss Pocket Watch  | Tissot Pocket Watch |
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Best Pocket Watches
1. Charles-Hubert, Paris 3866-S Classic Collection
Time to begin our list with this vintage-looking pocket watch from Charles-Hubert. This 47mm watch gets its vintage look from its antique chrome finish brass body. The watch sports a double hunter case so it will be safe inside the mechanical enclosure.
Double hunter case is usually found in pocket watches that come with a skeleton dial. This will allow you to see the inner workings of the watch from the front as well as from the back of the watch. That’s why pocket watches with skeleton dials have double hunter cases to protect the dial of the watch.
Charles-Hubert comes with 17 jewels mechanical movements that make the skeleton dial even more gorgeous. This watch has jewel gears inside the watch that can be seen through the watch’s dial glass.
The watch also comes with a lifetime movement warranty therefore you won’t have to worry about the watch stopping on you.
This pocket watch does not just flaunt vintage looks but also works like one. It is a mechanical watch, so naturally, you must wind it to make it work. Therefore you won’t be relying on batteries for the watch to work, just like in the old days. Overall it is one of the best high-quality pocket watches on this list.
Talking about some shortcomings of this product as it is a dress pocket watch it is not waterproof so you have to take good care of it. Also, every pocket watch must come with a chain but you don’t get one with it so you have to separately purchase the chain for it. Moreover, if you are looking for a lightweight pocket watch then you might be disappointed as this watch is a little heavy.
2. ManCHda
If you are looking for a vintage-style pocket watch at a reasonable price then the ManCHda will be the best pocket watch for the job. The watch sports a bronze finish which gives the pocket watch a premium look and Roman numerals with a black dial make it look even better.
This pocket watch comes with a mechanical box enclosure that protects the watch from minor hits, bumps, and shocks. Inside the enclosure, the ManCHda pocket watch features a 50mm watch face that makes the watch easy to read.
The skeleton dial on the watch’s face shows you the inner workings and movements of the watch in real-time. So this watch would be a great conversation starter in any social setting and you will be the center of attraction.
With this watch, you don’t have to go through the hassle of changing the battery again and again as it’s also a mechanical watch. Simply wind it and you are good to go for the next 24 hr.
Also, if you work in dangerous environments like a shipyard, steel factory, construction site, or other such location where cellphones are not allowed and wristwatches will only get in your way then we would recommend this pocket watch. It features an all-metal body and is also highly durable so you will be able to keep track of time without any distraction or worries.
ManCHda pocket watch is also perfect for both casual and formal meetings. This watch also comes with a 360mm long chain with a locket allowing you to wear the watch according to your preference.
Therefore if you are planning to buy a pocket watch then this would be a great addition to your watch collections and also a perfect gift item.
3. Tissot Pocket Watch
Looking for a Swiss pocket watch? Then this Tissot unisex pocket watch would be a great option for both men and women. There are several watches available from Tissot but we think this one might be the best pocket watch under their banner.
The metal used in the construction of this watch is 316L stainless steel that can withstand extreme temperatures and is used in marine projects. Unlike the previous two watches on our list, this watch is not a mechanical watch instead it’s a quartz watch.
Quartz movement watches work on battery and is quite accurate when compared to mechanical watches. Also, mechanical watches require a lot of care as shock and bumps can damage them. However, you won’t have to worry about that issue with this watch.
Tissot pocket watch has a 49mm watch face and is only 10.20mm thick making it the slimmest watch on our list. The watch dial also has a dedicated date window at 6’o clock so you can also keep track of the date along with time.
You won’t have to worry about the watch’s durability as it comes with a full hunter cover. It covers the dial of the watch and protects it from damage due to daily wear and tear and accidental falls. The button on top of the dial near the crown opens up the protective case allowing you to read the time in a hazel-free manner.
Moreover, the watch is water-resistant up to 30m therefore water won’t be an issue for the watch.
Coming to the looks of it, the watch sports a silver finish along with elegant engraving present on the case of the watch. You also get a 30cm chain along with the watch so you can wear the watch whichever way you prefer.
This is a great pocket watch that is perfect for day-to-day use and also a perfect gift item for your loved ones.
4. Stührling Mechanical Stainless Steel Pocket Watch
This stunning mechanical pocket watch is part of Stührling’s legacy collection. This pocket watch features a dual-sided skeleton dial with a Krysterna crystal dial window on both sides to protect it. The manual movement requires about 25 to 30 winds every 24 to 36 hours, so it can easily last a full day. And the movement of this watch is visible from both sides so you can get an unobstructed view of the magnificent mechanical machinery inside.
The attention to detail on this watch is remarkable, as you can see all the the markings and symbols are of top-notch finish and look elegant. This pocket watch can certainly be a head-turner when paired with a nice suit.
This exquisite-looking pocket watch is not just meant to be tucked in your pocket all the time. It comes with an integrated hinge that can function as a desk stand. It allows the watch to stay upright on any flat surface like a desk, tabletop, or nightstand.
Carrying this mechanical pocket watch by Stührling is a piece of cake as the type of pocket watch chain that comes with it is made of 14-inch solid stainless steel. The chain can be used to fasten the watch to a belt, waistcoat, or inner pocket. This high-quality pocket watch by an affordable American watch brand can be a great addition to your dress or a perfect present for your family or friends.
5. Speidel Classic Brushed Satin
This gorgeous-looking pocket watch is made by the veteran watch company Speidel. This company has been making watches for more than a century now. It’s a quartz watch like Tissot but you won’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on this one like the former.
Just because the watch is affordable doesn’t mean it’s poorly made it might be one of the best quartz pocket watches you can buy right now. With this watch, you can keep track of the date along with the time as the watch features a day date window.
Moreover, you can read the time even in the dark as this watch features luminous hands. These hands glow in the dark allowing you to read the time even when there is no light source around.
The watch features a full hunter case that is opened by a button located at the 3 o’clock position. The inner cover of the watch also features an ornate guilloche design that enhances the looks of the watch.
Talking about the dimensions of the watch, it sports a 47mm watch face and a 14-inch diamond cut chain. This watch is 13.5mm thick which is a pretty decent size for a pocket watch so you won’t have any issue carrying it around.
What makes it even better is that at just 10$ more you can get the watch engraved by whatever name or message you want. Therefore, the Speidel pocket watch is perfect for gifting purposes.
Moreover, this pocket watch is available in black and silver color along with an option to engrave the watch with your message or name. The company also offers a 2-year warranty on the watch, so you won’t have to worry about the watch’s after-sale service.
6. Stührling Chronograph Torero
Yet another fantastic pocket watch on this list is by Stührling. This chronograph pocket watch runs on VK61 quartz chronograph movement which is a Japanese movement, which is considered both reliable and accurate.
This high-quality pocket watch comes in a 48mm case size which is the perfect size for a pocket watch. On the top, you get two unique bullhead pushers for the chronograph function. The watch is relatively slim with a 13.25mm case thickness, so it will easily fit inside any pocket.
For the case back you get a snap-down stainless steel and on the watch dial you get squared Arabic numerals. Telling the time on this pocket watch is a breeze, as you get a luminescent coating on the watch hands, which ensures optimum visibility even in low-light environments. The durability of this Stührling pocket watch is remarkable, as it also comes with 50 meters of water resistance.
Just like the previous Stührling pocket watch on this list, this one also comes with a hinge that can be used to place the watch on any flat surface like a tabletop or a desk making it useful as a small desk clock. Along with that, you also get a stainless steel chain so that you don’t drop it or lose it.
Overall it is one of the best quality pocket watches on this list. However, it is a bit more expensive than some other watches on this list. So if you are looking for the most durable pocket watch and your budget is over 100 dollars, then this watch is a great choice.
7. Tiong Pocket Watch
If the previous pocket watch was a bit out of your budget then this Tiong pocket watch might be the one for you. It is a good-looking, affordable pocket watch that is an absolute bang for the buck. The movement of this watch is quartz, which makes this watch more accurate than the average mechanical watch.
The dial of this watch features Arabic numerals which look dashing and in the center you get the cathedral watch hands to tell the time. These hands are not average either, as they also have a luminous coating, providing visibility in low or no-light environments.
The cover of this pocket watch can also be forced down to act as a stand so that the watch can be placed on a flat surface like a tabletop or a desk etc. You also get multiple color options with this watch, as it offers silver, black, and bronze colors.
The after-sales service of the Tiong pocket watch is also worth mentioning, as they offer a 100% money-back or free replacement in case of a manufacturing defect.
Overall it is a decent quality watch considering its price. It is perhaps one of the best budget-friendly pocket watches that you can choose as of now.
8. Gotham Railroad Style Pocket Watch
For premium watch lovers who are looking for a luxurious open-face pocket watch then Gotham has a watch for them. As the watch’s name suggests it is an old-fashioned retro-style watch inspired by watches used by railroad officials.
Just like old pocket watches used during the golden days of railroading, this watch features a similar design. It has a big and clear numerical marking on the dial along with a dedicated sub-dial which allows a more accurate reading of time.
For railroad officials reading accurate time was extremely important that’s why this watch also emphasizes the minutes on the dial. Not a lot of people know but a 4-minute error by an engineer caused the Great Kipton train wreck. This led to the creation of railroad watch standards. That ensured all the pocket watches met a certain level of performance expectation before being approved to be used by railroad officials.
Keeping those guidelines in mind this watch features small dedicated second hands, 17 jewel parts, and a white dial that increases the readability of the watch. However, since it is a mechanical watch you would have to wind up this pocket watch every day and that can be inconvenient for some.
Talking of the design of the watch, it features a 49mm watch face and is only 11 mm thick making it perfect for comfortably keeping it in the pocket for long hours.
You also won’t have to worry about water damage with the watch as it is water-resistant up to 30m underwater. Therefore if you are a watch enthusiast and looking for the best pocket watch with an open face and mechanical movement then go with this pocket watch. It would be a fine addition to your watch collection.
This pocket watch would also be perfect as a graduation gift, wedding gift, and so on. Your loved ones will cherish the watch for a long time to come.
Buying Guide For Best Pocket Watch
1. Watch Movement
There are two types of movements available in pocket watches: mechanical and quartz movement. Mechanical movement pocket watch relies on users to wind up the watch periodically and the watch will work without any external energy source like a battery.
On the other hand, the quartz pocket watch uses a lithium-ion battery and requires no input from the users for it to work, simply replace the battery if the watch stops working.
You can go with a watch based on your preference but note that the quartz movement watch is better at timekeeping. Hence it shows a more accurate time than a mechanical watch.
2. Watch Enclosure
There are mainly 3 kinds of pocket watches based on enclosure type available in the market: open-face, full hunter, and double hunter pocket watches.
Open face pocket watch doesn’t offer any protection to the dial of the watch face. However, this also makes them convenient to use, easy to read and carry.
On the other hand, a full hunter pocket watch comes with a front enclosure that protects the dial of the watch. So to read the time you need to open the enclosure every time.
The double hunter pocket watch offers protection on both sides of the watch i.e. the front and rear side of the watch. This type of enclosure provides 360-degree protection to the watch. However, this also makes the watch a bit bulky which may cause inconvenience while carrying it.
3. Price
Pocket watches are available at a wide range of prices starting from $7 to up to hundreds of dollars. You can pick one based on your budget. But keep in mind the more you pay the better watch you get.
