The Best Pocket Watches for Men for a Classic Look

Undoubtedly we live in the age of the smartwatch. But there are times in a man’s life that call for something a bit more sophisticated. Something like a vintage pocket watch in gold or silver comes to mind—something you can proudly display in your watch box. Yes, pocket watches may seem like they harken to an era gone by, but as we bravely forge into the 21st century, men’s pocket watches have seen a massive revival in popularity.

So what is it about a pocket watch that has caught the attention of both timekeeping device collectors and dapper gentlemen from around the world? It’s mostly a sense of style, mystery, elegance, and nostalgia for a simpler time, a time gone by. A time now lost to the world forever.

Want to know a bit more about pocket watches? Scroll down to the bottom of this page, and we’ll tell you all about what the top brands of pocket watches are, along with what type of pocket watches are available on the market. So whether you’re looking for an antique pocket watch, a gold pocket watch, a pocket watch with a vintage look, one with a silver case, a skeleton pocket watch, or even a modern digital pocket watch, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best pocket watches for men.

1. Tissot Savonnette Mechanical Pocket Watch

Tissot is a well-known Swiss watchmaker of fine timepieces, and so it’s without a great deal of surprise that they also make a very fine set of pocket watches, including this Savonnette Mechanical. This particular version features a single-hinged case with a gorgeous engraved pattern on the outside of the case and is an excellent example of the type of craftsmanship that Tissot is capable of. With a large white dial featuring thin roman numerals as the primary hour markers, the aesthetic of this Palladium plated silver brass pocket watch could easily be mistaken for an authentic antique.

2. Charles Hubert Paris Antiqued Finish Open Face Mechanical Pocket Watch

This beautifully crafted pocket watch from Charles Hubert features an open face case and sports an intricate skeleton dial. Additionally, the watch case has a coin-edge, as well as a distressed antique look. The mechanical movement features 17 jewels, and the dial features roman numerals as the hour markers. It’s also quite affordable for this quality of pocket watch.

3. Gotham Men’s Gun-Metal Stainless Steel Mechanical Railroad Pocket Watch

If you’re searching high and low for a mechanical pocket watch for under $100 and you love that classic railroad pocket watch look, this Gotham watch is the perfect match for your desires. Featuring a gun-metal coloured stainless steel case and a gorgeous large white dial with large hour markers reminiscent of old railroad pocket watches, this beauty includes a deluxe pocket watch chain.

4. Stuhrling Original Men’s Skeleton Pocket Watch in Gold – Modena 991

Featuring an incredible skeleton dial, this pocket watch from Stuhrling is available in three colour options, including the rose gold you see pictured above. The exhibition case back also allows you to peer through to the intricacies of the mechanical movement. Because of its size and beauty, there’s no need to hide this gorgeous piece of horological work in your pocket when sitting at your desk. This watch has an integrated kick-stand that allows you to stand it upright and use it as a desk clock.

5. Panerai – Pocket Watch Tourbillon GMT Ceramic

This incredible pocket watch from Panerai is a stunning achievement. The case is made of high-tech ceramic, which provides a great deal of long-term resistance against wear and corrosion. The Tourbillon GMT Ceramic features a hand-wound mechanical movement with 31 jewels and provides about six days of power reserve. This skeleton dialed pocket watch also features Superluminova hands and hour markers making it easy to see at night.

6. GPWDSN Steampunk Pocket Watch

I’ll freely admit that I recognize two facts. Not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars on a pocket watch from a decidedly snobby watch brand. I can also acknowledge that many people are looking for a nice pocket watch that displays some unique design characteristics while not breaking the bank. All of those attributes apply to this exquisite pocket watch with a steampunk design and a partially skeletonized dial. Speaking of the white dial, it features a beautiful set of Roman numerals as the hour markers, while the bronze coloured case and railroad-themed engraving make for a nice contrast.

7. Omega – Olympic Pocket Watch 1932

You can’t buy this pocket watch. Well, at least you can’t buy it online. With a price tag of around $100k, not many online transaction processors would be happy to process such a purchase. But oh my, this may be one of the most incredible pocket watches ever made. Produced by one of my favourite luxury watch brands, Omega, the Olympic Pocket Watch is powered by unassembled movement kits lying around in OMEGA’s headquarters since 1932. How’s that for an origin story?

Made of 18k white gold, this incredible pocket watch is limited to 100 pieces and features a gorgeous white dial while the caseback is stamped with the Olympic Games’ official five-ring logo. Also available in rose and yellow gold, this is a preposterously incredible pocket watch with no equal.

8. Gotham Men’s Gun-Tone 17 Jewel Mechanical Pocket Watch

Returning to the more reasonable land of prices you can afford, this stylish pocket watch from Gotham will only set you back around $100. So that’s a relief. But for only one Benjamin (Benjamin Franklin is on the American $100 bill for those of you non-Americans reading this), you’re getting a pretty awesome watch. The partially skeletonized black dial contrasts nicely with the gold-toned Roman numeral hour markers, all encased in a Half-Hunter gun-metal case. Both front and back cover open to display the 17 jewel mechanical movement.

9. Tissot – Bridgeport Lepine Mechanical

Are you ready to become a true gentleman? This Tissot pocket watch is prepared to get you some of the way there. At least from a fashion and style perspective, that is. This retro-themed, nay, nearly antique-themed dial design uses uniquely sculpted Arabic numerals with a small counter at the 6’oclock position. The deep blue hands are an awesome contrast to each white dial area, which features both smooth and slightly textured or checkered surfaces.

10. Stuhrling Original Pocket Watch – Special Reserve

Here is another fine silver coloured pocket watch from Stuhrling that features a good combination of affordability and quality construction. With a manual mechanical watch movement, this pocket watch has a dual exhibition case (opens in the back and front) to reveal the skeleton dial and the intricacies of the watch’s movement. Like a few other pocket watches on this list, this Stuhrling features an integrated desk stand so it can double as a small desk clock. Pair this pocket watch with your favourite vest and suit, and you’re ready to impress with a fashion accessory not regularly seen these days.

11. Gotham Men’s Mechanical Hand Wind Railroad Pocket Watch

Featuring a railroad pocket watch’s classic look, this is an amazing timepiece from Gotham, who continue to up their game with their watch collection. The polished finish of Brass dipped in gun-plated steel is just the fine outer layer case of this beautiful pocket watch. The large black dial and contrasting white and red hour and minute markers make for a bold statement, while the 17-jewel mechanical hand wind movement does its job behind the scenes. Topping it all off is a finely-crafted fourteen-inch chain with spring ring closure.

12. Charles-Hubert, Paris Analog Display Pocket Watch

This double-hunter case watch from Charles-Hubert features a delicate, partially skeletonized dial with large black roman numerals. And while their boldness is derived from the contrast between their black colour and the dial’s white, the Roman numerals are otherwise quite thin and delicate. The hour, minute, and second hands emanating from the center of the dial complement the hour markers as they exhibit the same light and fragile qualities. All this to say, this is a fancy looking pocket watch for a very reasonable price.

13. Laco – Navy Watches Wilhelmshaven – Pocket Watch

Made in Germany, this pocket watch with an off-white dial is the ultimate expression of German horological device design. It’s utilitarian but retains a sort of charm that’s hard to put your finger on. Featuring a hand-winding movement specifically designed for this pocket watch, this watch’s polished stainless steel case has a viewing mineral crystal window on the caseback to provide a view of the movement. The entire dial is covered in a layer of Superluminova material to provide a nice glowing orb at night.

14. Spovan SPV600 Digital Pocket Watch

Have you been searching high and low for a cool digital pocket watch but have been frustrated by your Google-Fu skills? Search no longer my friend. This digital pocket watch from Spovan has a wide variety of features that will tickle your fancy. Let’s start with the fact that it sports an LED face and is covered in a gorgeous stainless steel case. In addition to various timekeeping functions, this digital pocket watch also features a barometer, altimeter, and thermometer.

15. Gotham Men’s Silver-Tone Mechanical Pocket Watch

Can you tell I’m just a tad obsessed with the watches from Gotham? This classic and vintage looking case and dial are reminiscent of what pocket watches used to look like in the 19th century. Sporting a rich antique style is just the start for this pocket watch. The cobalt blue hour, minute, and second hands are visible behind a scratch-resistant mineral crystal glass, all pointing to beautifully carved Roman numerals on the case exterior. But don’t let that feature fool you. When the case opens, an interior black dial is revealed with an equally fine Roman numeral design.

16. Patek Philippe – 973J Open-Face Pocket Watch

What self-respecting list of the finest pocket watches would not include a Patek Philippe? Not this one, that’s for sure! Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to buy one of these. I can’t even find a price for it, but suffice to say that given it’s a Patek, it will likely cost you a kidney or two. Maybe you’ll have to throw in a lung as well. And even after having your organs harvested and sold on the black market, it might not be enough money to buy this amazing pocket watch.

This Yellow-Gold pocket watch is manually wound and features the usual astonishing craftsmanship and attention to detail that is expected of every Patek Philippe timepiece. Sporting a classic and simple white dial with thin but tall Roman Numerals as the hour markers, it also includes a small seconds sub-dial at the six o’clock position.

17. Gotham Men’s Gun-Plated Black Dial Stainless Steel Pocket Watch

Gotham is truly shooting for the keyword bonanza when it decides what product names to go with, doesn’t it? That’s ok. I don’t mind, as long as they continue making decidedly beautiful pocket watches. This gun-plated stainless steel pocket watch combines the railroad-style look of the large Arabic numerals with much smaller yet still easily visible minute markers on the outside of the dial. Overall, if you want a black-dialed pocket watch, this offering from Gotham is an excellent choice.

18. Audemars Piguet Classique Pocket Watch

Here’s another pocket watch you probably won’t be able to afford. Or you will because you’re a part of the 1%. That’s probably at least what it will take to buy this incredible pocket watch from Audemars Piguet. Featuring an 18-carat yellow gold hunting watch case, the white dial features various finely detailed complications along with black Roman numerals. Blue steel hands offset the white dial and make for a nice counter to the rest of the dial’s colours. The complications featured in the dial include a perpetual calendar, chronograph, minute repeater, and grande complication.

19. Charles Hubert – Double Cover Pocket Watch

Returning for a moment to the type of pocket watch you’ll certainly be able to purchase today, this is an elegant watch from Charles Hubert. With an all-brass case polished to a silver-tone, this mechanical hand-wind movement pocket watch includes a nicely done skeleton look. See-through on both sides, this watch’s dial features an exposed movement along with nicely printed blue Roman numerals and matching blue hands. I perhaps would have gone with a slightly different blue shade for the hands or perhaps black all-together as they tend to get a touch lost when over one of the blue Roman numeral hour markers.

20. August Steiner Automatic Mechanical Pocket Watch

Most of the pocket watches I’ve featured on this list so far have had a hand-winding manual movement. This watch from August Steiner, on the other hand, features a fully automatic movement and also features a rather distinct look that relies on an engraved dial and engraved Roman numerals on the outer edge of the brass case. The partially skeletonized dial makes for a fashionable display and will leave any on-looker dazzled.

21. Hanhart Pocket Watch

With a manual winding Unitas 6497 movement, this superb watch from Hanhart is available in two different models. One has an off-white, almost cream dial with a chrome-plated brass case that is polished. The other option is a black dialed pocket watch with a chrome-plated brass that features a coin edge. The dial features a primary hour and minute function with a small-second sub-dial at the 6’oclock position for both options. Inspired by the look of dials on classic car dashboards, this pocket watch is only for the most dapper of gentlemen.

How to Wear a Pocket Watch

There’s some very quick do’s and don’t you can adhere to:

Do this when wearing your pocket watch:

• Put your watch case in a side pocket, ideally with the link remaining somewhat loose.
• Have it in a place that’s easy to reach for and accessible. Sure, I know it’s mostly a fashion statement, but it can actually tell time and be useful in that manner as well. 
• Depending on what suit, blazer, or vest you’re wearing, the ideal place to put your pocket watch is in your vest pocket. Connect the chain to a spot just above a button on your dress shirt. 

Don’t do this when wearing your pocket watch:

• Loop the chain around any part of your suit, shirt, or body for that matter. 
• Don’t let the connecting link chain dangle. That will look terrible.

Below are a few visual examples of how to wear a pocket watch. 

How to Wear a pocket watch with a vest

How to wear a pocket watch with jeans or pants

What Are the Best Pocket Watch Brands

The best pocket watch brands include Longine, Hamilton, Stührling, Elgin, Bulova, Tissot, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, and Victorinox. In many cases, these companies have continued to produce excellent pocket watches for the contemporary man who wants to exhibit some serious style. 

What are the Types of Pocket Watches

For the most part, there are five mainstream pocket watch categories. 

Open Face Pocket Watches

Open face pocket watches are exactly as they sound. They are often known as the railroaders watch because, in the late 19th century, a lot of railway workers wore these and synchronized them with each other. These pocket watches have an open face and do not have any sort of exterior closure. The dial of these pocket watches is most vulnerable to scratches and damage. 

Full Hunter Pocket Watches

This type of pocket watch typically has a hinge and cover system that protects the face or “dial” of the watch. All manner of pocket watchmakers have used the protective cover as a canvas for various designs and intricate engravings. Some have even used the case as a transparent cover. That’s what we call a half hunter pocket watch, which you can read about below. 

Half Hunter Pocket Watches

The Half Hunter pocket watch type is a hybrid between an open face pocket watch and a full hunter. Like the full-hunter, it also features a hinged case, but the case has a transparent window in the middle. This obviously reduces the need to open a pocket watch to read the time. 

Double Hunter Pocket Watch

The Double Hunter pocket watch style often features a skeleton dial and a double-hinged front and back cover. Part of the reasoning for a double-covered pocket watch is to allow it to stand upright as a desk clock. 

Double Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Like its smaller cousin, this type of pocket watch has all the usual fanciness of a Double Hunter and includes a transparent viewing window on the front case. 

---

You might also like these articles:

Watch Storage Ideas for Your Luxury and Not-so-Luxury Timepieces

Watch Gang Review

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Hamilton Watches