Aristocratic pocket timepieces needs special care
Written by admin   
Monday, 12 June 2006

A pocket watch is a strapless personal timepiece that is carried in a pocket. Pocket watches are traditional analog timepiece, carried by people in their pockets. Pocket watches generally have a chain to be secured to a belt loop which lacks strap. Some of them have a chain or the ornaments cover with a hinge, to protect the face known as fobs. A style that pocket watch also have a fastener that is meant to be put through a buttonhole and worn in a waistcoat or jacket, was commonly used by train conductors.

In November 1462, a pocket watch is found in a letter by Italian clockmaker Bartholomew Manfredi to the Marchese di Manta. A new fold to the history is remarked By 1510. Pocket watch like Spring-driven clocks appeared in Italy, and in Germany, Peter Henlein, a master in locksmith of Nuremberg was regularly manufacturing pocket watches. Thereafter, pocket watch manufacture spread throughout the rest of Europe as the 16th Century progressed.

The pocket watches are commonly regarded as of two types: the Lepine and the Savonette. Technically, lepine has a winding stem that is in line with the seconds-marking dial found on the face of the watch. The Lepine Pocket watch is commonly placed closest to the six o’clock and the point position is straight enough to twelve o’clock. This watch also has an open face with scratch-resistant crystal.

The savonette watch has also a winding stem that is perpendicular to the direction of the seconds dial, on the face of the watch. The Serviette’s winding system pocket watch is placed most commonly at three o’clock and commonly the stem pointing to right if you turn the watch 90 0. This pocket watch usually has a "consular", or "hunter" face, with a protective hinged lid over the face.

On the contradictory modern watches does not follow any of these traditional designs, (the Lepine or the Savonette) especially those with a quartz movement. They often use a combination of the designs or vica versa.

It is essential for these pocket watches, the mainspring would wound fully every day. Even you are not allowed to over-wind it. Although there are some watches which needed fully wound to run for 26 to 30 hours, but a few can run for 60 hours. A few can even run for as long as 8 days!

The pocket watch should maintain carefully. The pocket watch demands cleanness even while you are not using your watch. You can clean it with a soft cloth and it should be stored clean, dry and safe area. The watch needs to be serviced by a professional, every few years to prevent the inside oils from drying up. You should keep yourself avoid from extreme heat, cold, or moisture while you are using. So be cautious to protect your watch from extreme cold, and try to keep it in your pocket. You should never open the watch yourself for you may do more damage than good. If well cared, your antique watch can last for generations.