Gold Pocket Watches

Buying Gold Pocket Watches as a Gift

Gold is the finish people ask for when the watch has a job to do: a groom on a wedding morning, a 21st, a retirement, a father or grandfather who will actually wear it with a suit. The warm tone photographs well, it stands out against dark wool, and the engraved-look case patterns in this range read as traditional rather than fashionable. Most gold dials are cream or white with Roman numerals, which keeps them legible for someone who does not wear a watch every day.

Gold plated, not precious metal

These are new vintage-style reproductions, so the cases are gold plated or gold tone over a base metal rather than 24k or another precious alloy. That is what makes a properly detailed hunter case affordable. Keep it away from perfume, aftershave and abrasive cloths, wipe it with something dry and soft, and the plating keeps its colour. The movement carries a 12-month warranty, and unworn pieces can be returned within 60 days in their original packaging.

Full hunter, skeleton and open face

The gold range leans heavily to full hunters, where a hinged lid closes over the dial and clicks shut to protect the glass in a pocket. Skeleton designs are the next largest group, cutting away part of the dial so the movement is visible while it runs. There are also a few half hunters, with a window in the lid, and open-face pieces with no cover at all. For a softer, pinker tone look at Rose Gold Pocket Watches, for a cooler one see Silver Pocket Watches, and if the lid is the part you care about, browse every Full Hunter Pocket Watches design in one place.

Movements, chains and getting it in time

Roughly half of this range is hand-wound mechanical, which needs about twenty to thirty turns of the crown each morning until you feel firm resistance. The rest is Swiss quartz from the Classique line and runs on a battery, which is the easier option for a watch that lives in a drawer between events. A matching chain is available for every watch and is not included in the box, though it comes free on orders over $100, and a bamboo presentation box is free with the code BAMBOOBOX on orders over $80. Many gold pieces are made to order, so order well ahead of a dated occasion, or browse the wider Vintage Style Pocket Watches range for something in stock.