Pocket watch

The pocket watch was invented by Peter Henlein in 1510.

Related Topics:
Peter Henlein - 1510

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A pocket watch is a strapless personal timepiece that is carried in a pocket. The display is traditionally analog. Pocket watches generally have a chain to be secured to a belt loop (the chain or ornaments on it being known as fobs), as well as a hinged cover to protect the face of the watch. Such covers are not always present. Also common are fasteners designed to be put through a buttonhole and worn in a jacket or waistcoat, this sort being frequently associated with and named after train conductors.

Related Topics:
Watch - Analog - Fob - Waistcoat

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Pocket watches are commonly regarded as being one of two types: the lepine or the savonette. In a strict technical sense, the lepine is a watch whose winding stem is in line with the seconds-marking dial found on the face. The savonette has a winding stem perpendicular to the orientation of the seconds dial on the face of the watch.

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Since the separate dial that marks the passage of seconds is traditionally placed closest to the six o'clock position, this means a traditional lepine's winding stem is set at its twelve o'clock position. The savonette's winding stem is placed most commonly at the three o'clock position. When read, a lepine is held with the stem straight up. A savonette is read by turning the watch 90° with the stem pointing to the right.

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A lepine is traditionally an open-faced watch with a large, scratch resistant crystal covering the face. A savonette is commonly found in a 'hunter' or 'consular' case, with a protective lid hinged over the face. A consular case is further differentiated by the fact the back case is also hinged so that the watch movement can be easily separated from both halves of its protective cover.

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Modern manufacturers of pocket watches, especially those watches with a quartz movement, are not bound by tradition when regarding the orientation of movements (lepine or savonette) and the cases they are inserted into (open-faced or hunter). It is possible today to find watches with a lepine orientation in a closed-faced hunter case, and vice versa.

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