A Nuremberg egg is a type of small ornamental spring-driven clock made to be worn around the neck. Invented by Peter Henlein (1485–1542) and named for the German city in which it was produced in the mid-to-late 16th century, this primitive timepiece is considered the forerunner of the modern wrist watch. The design, however, is more akin to a pocket watch.

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Marie Antoinette pocket watch -

It's been described as the the 'Mona Lisa' of the clock world; the Holy Grail of watchmaking. The Breguet Grande Marie Antoinette, commissioned by an alleged lover of the French queen, Marie Antoinette, in 1782, is said to be worth US$30 million. Unfortunately, the intended recipient died before ever being able to receive this beautiful watch, which took over 40 years to construct.

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The Henry Graves Supercomplication -

One of the most elaborate mechanical pocket watches ever created, the 18-karat gold Henry Graves Supercomplication timepiece was made by Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe in 1932. Commissioned by American banker Henry Graves (1868–1953), the intricate timepiece features 24 complications and is worth around US$25 million.

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Abraham-Louis Breguet pocket watch -

A rare 18-karat gold, enamel, and diamond-set hunter case "tact" pocket watch, made by Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747–1823) for Josephine Bonaparte, Empress of France, and sold to her in 1800.

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André Pichon oval alarm watch -

This oval alarm watch is typical of the early 17th century and was made by André Pichon of Lyon, France. In the center of the dial is a brass disc carrying a steel pointer that acts as the hour hand, indicating time on the outer circle of hours numbered I to XII.

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Estienne Hubert pocket watch -

An exquisite example of a pocket watch made by Estienne Hubert in Saint-Étienne, France in 1640.

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Johann Rudolf Stadler pocket watch -

This pocket watch was created in 1630 by Swiss watchmaker Johann Rudolf Stadler (1605–1637). Stadler based himself in Isfahan in Iran and prospered. But in 1637, he shot and killed an intruder who'd broken into his home. Stadler was convicted of murder by a Safavid court and was put to death by the sword.

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Bautte & Moynier pocket watch -

Swiss watchmakers Bautte & Moynier (1826–31) produced this enameled gold pocket watch in gilded brass and steel with ruby end stones in 1826–31. It features Egyptian zodiac symbols taken from a Ptolemaic sandstone bas-relief that was brought to France in 1821 from the Temple of Hathor in Dendera, Egypt.

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Meuron et Compagnie pocket watch -

Created in Paris around 1795–1800 by Meuron et Compagnie, this three-color gold quarter repeating automaton is typical of the timepieces Italian watchmaker Guglielmo Meuron became celebrated for.

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Thomas Tompion pocket watch -

Made by the great English clockmaker Thomas Tompion (1639–1713), this is one of the earliest surviving balance spring pocket watches, with this example housed in a silver case. Tompion made one of the first English watches equipped with a balance spring, a watch that was presented to Charles II (1630–1685).

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Barraud & Lunds pocket watch -

Barraud & Lunds of Cornhill, London were a 19th-century English watchmaking firm of note. Pictured is the white enamel outer case floral decoration typical of one of their pocket watches.

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Crayle and Tompion pocket watches -

The watch on the left dates from circa 1660. It was made by William Crayle (1630–1710) of the Strand, London and shows hours and minutes by a single indicator. The watch on the right shows the time in hours and minutes by separate indicators. Thomas Tompion made this watch in partnership with watchmaker Edward Banger circa 1705.

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Benjamin Vulliamy pocket watch -

This 18-carat gold pocket watch with key and chain was made by Benjamin Vulliamy (1780–1854) of London. It has a normal minute hand for showing mean time and an additional minute hand for local time. This view reveals a table inside the back of the case that shows the differences from Greenwich time for a number of English and European cities. Vulliamy was royal clockmaker to King George IV, King William IV, and Queen Victoria.

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Louis Isaac Girard pocket watch -

A sliver, gilt brass, and enamel pocket watch made in Paris, France in 1720 by Louis Isaac Girard.

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James Ryland pocket watch -

James Ryland of Ormskirk, Lancashire was a watchmaker based in the northwest of England. This is one of his pocket watches, housed in a silver pair case and featuring a going barrel and club-footed verge escapement. It dates back to 1800.

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William Williams keyless stopwatch -

Made by William Williams of Bury, Lancashire in 1890, this spring-driven keyless stop watch is wound, and the hands are set, by turning the crown at the top. Keyless watches were made from 1820, but watches needing separate winding keys were still being made long after that.

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Jas Shearwood pocket watch -

Jas Shearwood is responsible for making this pocket watch, in a silver inner case with a shagreen outer case, and hallmarked 1759. The watch has a silver dial and calendar.

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Mackay & Chisholm pocket watch -

A gold pocket watch with chain and case made by Edinburgh silversmiths and watchmakers Mackay and Chisholm in 1768.

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Gilded brass oval pocket watch -

This gilded brass oval pocket watch dates back to 1640 and was made in England.

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Pocket watch in gilt brass -

Also dated back to England and the 17th century, this pocket watch is housed in a rock crystal case mounted in gilt brass.

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Johannes van Ceulen pocket watch -

A 17th-century verge pocket watch crafted by Dutch watchmaker Johannes van Ceulen (1656–1715), who was based in the Hague and part of the distinguished Van Ceulen clock and watchmaker family (originally from Maastricht).

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Omega niello silver pocket watch -

This vintage open-faced Omega pocket watch in a stylish niello silver case once belonged to Hollywood actor Tony Curtis (1925– 2010).

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Ornamented pocket watch -

Watch with chime decorated with floral ornaments, engraved gold. England, 17th century.

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Silver pair cased pocket watch -

A pocket watch that belonged to Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759–1796), the silver pair cased timepiece contains a paper insert with bird and heart motifs and initials in ink from his wife Jean Armour. The rear cover is engraved with "RobT Burns Mauchline 1786."

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Oval brass pocket watch -

This early 17th-century oval brass pocket watch with silver dial inserted in rock crystal and brass outer casing indicates, in addition to the time, phases of the moon, days of the week, and days of the month.

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Pro-suffrage pocket watch -

A silver pro-suffrage pocket watch with the phrase "Vote for Woman," with each letter corresponding to a Roman numeral, and a red floral design in the center of the enamel face, dated to around 1900.

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Tavannes Watch Co pocket watch -

The movement of a 1946 Tavannes Watch Co pocket watch. Embellishments such as the striping seen on the bridges, called Geneva stripes, increase the value of such pieces. The company was founded by master watchmaker Henri-Frédéric Sandoz in Tavannes, Switzerland in 1891.

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George Daniels chronometer tourbillon pocket watch -

Englishman George Daniels (1926–2011) is regarded by many to have been the finest horologist in the world during his lifetime. Pictured is an 18-karat yellow gold open-faced one-minute spring-detent chronometer tourbillon watch, made by Daniels in 1970.

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Calibre 0100 pocket watch -

A Calibre 0100 pocket watch, produced by the American Citizen Watch Co., exemplifies the pocket watch of the 21st century. Citizen's broad appeal provides it with a brand presence at Disney Parks & Resorts worldwide and co-branded watch collections with Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars.

Sources: (The Walters Art Museum) (Time and Watches) (celebreMagazine) (La Pendulerie) (The Clock Work Shop)

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The timeless art of the pocket watch

When time isn't on your hands, put it in your pocket!

16/08/21 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Timepieces

The first timepieces ever created were not those that embrace your wrist. Instead, they were kept in the pocket, in fact worn as pendants on a chain. Developed in Germany and France in the 16th century, the pocket watch quickly became a must-have fashion accessory as much as a device for telling the time. As such, pocket watches—already the most intricate mechanical devices ever made for sale—were regarded as luxury items, often handcrafted in gold and silver and embellished with precious gemstones. Indeed, only those with deep pockets could afford such extravagance.

Captivated? Then click through and spend time admiring this gallery of rare and beautiful pocket watches.