The Collectibles Store Blog

Time has usually been a valued component, and now becomes a valuable element for people that collect antique gold pocket watches. 

The history of pocket watches extends back to the mid 1400’s, evidenced by a letter from an Italian clockmaker to a nobleman.  In the document, the noble is offered what was called as a pocket clock by the clockmaker.  A businessman of German descent was making pocket watches in 1524 in Britain employing a revolutionary spring technology ; clock faces that exhibited just one hand to indicate the hour now took the place of using the sun to tell the time.  Time might be estimated within an hour or so of the real time.  The minute hand was added much later in the late 1600’s when technology advanced even further ; enabling wearers of the watches to gauge time within mins of the actual time.  As technology authorized more definitive time gauging, more gildings were added to meet a growing interest in the watches. 

Portable watches, as they were called in the beginning, were first assembled of steel by blacksmiths and locksmiths as they were accustomed to working with the alloy.  Over time, other more suitable substances were used instead, such as brass, silver and gold.  Jewels and fragile scroll work were added to adorn some of the watches to make them more tasty for the made.  Antique gold pocket watches, especially those with jewels, are particularly valuable for collectors due to these embellishments. 

Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton, Ball and Illinois are just some of the early manufacturers of pocket watches whose products are among those valued the highest.  Going back to the mid 1800’s and of beautiful design, many of these watches are sought after as collectibles.  Another well-liked collector sort of pocket watch is a series called Railroad watches.  These timepieces were utilized by train engineers in crucial time keeping schedules for train arrivals and departures.  The accuracy of the watches were more precisely correct than most, as any variance of time faster or slower could mean tragic scenarios for two trains on one track.  As with any antique, the value of the item depends on how much a buyer is willing to pay for it. 

The prize of many collectors is antique gold pocket watches, with histories that go back almost 150 years.  Often owned by the well to do in society, these timepieces would likely have wonderful stories if they were only in a position to tell more than time.

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We all know how much women love to accessorize.  Completing the look of an outfit often comes down to the smallest details and watch manufacturers know this, creating a range of beautiful and distinctive ladies designer watches to suit every taste.With such a wide selection on offer how do you go about choosing the most suitable ladies watch?

You should start by deciding the type of movement you want for your watch, be it quartz or mechanical.Quartz movements generally cost less, are reliable and low maintenance whereas a watch with a mechanical movement will be cost much more and take more looking after.It is not all negative as these watches are considered more refined due to the extensive craftsmanship and engineering which is involved - these types of watches are more likely to become heirlooms.

Next you should decide on which material you prefer.Gold is a traditional classic however the subtle Rose Gold is making something of a comeback.Ladies may find that stainless steel is more of a masculine choice.

Clearly, the style of the case is very important.That classic round shape will always remain in fashion whereas a rectangular case may present a more retro chic look.  Alternatively you may wish to go for a curvier look – if this is the case then Lacroix watches are particularly good for this style.

Choosing a strap or a bracelet is the next challenge.Bracelet watches make for elegant jewellery style watches whereas leather straps tend to be more of a fashionable choice, having elaborate colours to match their dials.

Luxury never goes out of fashion so if you have it within your budget then it can a good idea to purchase a diamond set ladies watch.  If you really want to impress then it can be worth your while choosing a mechanical watch with a chronograph function - gadgets aren't just for the boys!

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It doesn’t matter whether you wear a diver’s watch, a digital watch, a pocket watch, a mens designer watch or a ladies designer watch – you’ve worked hard to earn the money that bought you that valuable little timepiece.The last thing you want is for it to break as a result of misuse.With this in mind, the following 15 handy hints should help you to keep your watch looking great and working good as new.

1.    Your watch should be cleaned and maintained at least every 2 years.
2.When not being worn, keep your watch stored in a cool dry place.
3.Remember to remove your watch when you are undertaking heavy/physical work.
4.Avoid abrasions as scratches will eventually affect the case and bracelet.
5.Ensure the crown which is used to change the time/date should be properly pushed in at all times.This will help to avoid penetration by water and dust.
6.Keep your watch clean by wiping it down with a soft dry cloth.
7.    Quartz watches should be meticulously cleaned as even the smallest particle can result in damage.
8.When the watch battery runs out, make sure that you change it immediately as this can affect the movement.
9.When changing the time or date, it is important that you never do it within 3 hours either side of midnight.At this time the watch’s regular date change is being carried out internally and it is very important that it should not be interferred with.
10.Immediately get your watch serviced if you see moisture inside the crystal.
11.Remove your watch for showers, baths, saunas, heavy or physical work as any moisture will damage the inner workings as well as wear down the strap.
12.Don't forget that diving watches will need regular servicing, even though they have rigorous water resistance.
13.Ensure that you don’t subject your watch to pressure or heat.
14.It is important that your watch should be rinsed under fresh water in the event that it gets exposed to salt water.
15.Your watch should always be returned to an authorized dealer for servicing or any other necessary repairs.

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To mark the acceptance of the engagement, a man would gift his fiancée a diamond ring when she accepts his proposal to marry him and this happens not just in Spain but in many other countries of the world also. Of course these are very pleasant to look at but gifting diamond watches for men and women is also a useful concept. These highly wanted pieces are created by some of the top line names of the industry and different jewelers concentrate on the different types of this jewelry.

For example, take Tacori the designer reputed for making exquisite diamond jewelry that amalgamates two styles with the traditional and the contemporary. Hildago on the other hand is famous for creating pieces with a riot of colors and perhaps slightly outlandish looking and the engagement rings of 130-year old company Christian Bauer is available only through some select outlets and they make diamond jewelry only on special orders. If you think than any diamond is good enough for these flawless pieces, think again because only those diamonds which are approved for clarity and color can find their place on these items. If you decide to go away on a trip and bring your jewelry with you then be sure to carry your jewelry in jewelry travel boxes for safe keeping. By using jewelry travel boxes you will feel a little more secure knowing you are doing the best to secure you jewelry. Here are some basic tips for buying jewelry travel boxes.

One type of jewelry which is held in high esteem by men and women are diamond watches. It is a fact that the earliest wrist watches were actually diamond bracelets which had a small timepiece attached to it. The first instance of such a type of watch was seen nearly 430 years ago when Queen Elizabeth I received a gift from Earl of Leicester of a small round-shaped clock studded with diamonds which swung from a wristband. Perhaps this was the first authentic diamond timepiece meant for use by the ladies.

On the other hand, till WWI, men liked to sport pocket watches considering wrist watches to be too feminine. After the airplane came into being, it also brought with it the fist wristwatch for men. The reason for this is since there was no fuel gauge in the early aircrafts both hands had to be kept on the controls always. A need was felt thus for a timepiece which would twin purposes of the pilot tracking his range and checking the fuel stock and not remove his hands from the controls so that he could have a look at his pocket watch.

Interestingly, the large-scale acclaim of diamond engagement rings happened at the same time when wrist watches for men hit the popularity charts. Today, the three best-known manufacturers of diamond watches are Cartier of France, Citizens of Japan, and Movado of Switzerland. The last name is referred to when someone describes accuracy and exclaims ‘runs like a Swiss watch’. Movado who has been engaged in this business now over a century has on offer over 200 varieties of diamond watches to choose from, each distinctly different from the other.

For an excellent selection of men’s watches to suit every taste and budget, visit Men’s Wrist Watches.

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