How to Wear a Pocket Watch

steampunker.co.uk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Affiliate links may be used on this page and in steampunker.co.uk articles, but they do not impact on the price that you pay and they do help me to get this information to you for free. Read my privacy policy for more information regarding affiliates.

Without a doubt, the most popular steampunk accessory has got to be the pocket watch. This is what any steampunk fan needs to complete the look. Traditionally, in the industrial era, pocket watches would have been worn by locomotive operators to ensure trains arrived at their specific stops on time. Other, higher class members of society would have used pocket watches to simply tell the time during their daily lives. Pocket watches are seen as having a Neo-Victorian feel as well as a unique way of feeling the power of the past, present and more retro-style future. I hope that you enjoy today’s article on how to wear a pocket watch.

I-MART Retro Antique Bronze Pocket Watch with 31Inches Lobster Clasp Necklace Chain
BOSHIYA Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watches for Men Luminous Steampunk Pocket Watch with Chain Black Skeleton Dial Roman Numberals Pocketwatch Gifts for Fathers Day, HollowGear-Bronze, Steampunk
Smart.Deal Skeleton Mens Pocket Watch Hand Wind Mechanical Rose Gold Roman Numerals Half Hunter Magnifier
I-MART Retro Antique Bronze Pocket Watch with 31Inches Lobster Clasp Necklace Chain
BOSHIYA Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watches for Men Luminous Steampunk Pocket Watch with Chain Black Skeleton Dial Roman Numberals Pocketwatch Gifts for Fathers Day, HollowGear-Bronze, Steampunk
Smart.Deal Skeleton Mens Pocket Watch Hand Wind Mechanical Rose Gold Roman Numerals Half Hunter Magnifier
Price not available
Price not available
£30.52
I-MART Retro Antique Bronze Pocket Watch with 31Inches Lobster Clasp Necklace Chain
I-MART Retro Antique Bronze Pocket Watch with 31Inches Lobster Clasp Necklace Chain
Price not available
BOSHIYA Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watches for Men Luminous Steampunk Pocket Watch with Chain Black Skeleton Dial Roman Numberals Pocketwatch Gifts for Fathers Day, HollowGear-Bronze, Steampunk
BOSHIYA Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watches for Men Luminous Steampunk Pocket Watch with Chain Black Skeleton Dial Roman Numberals Pocketwatch Gifts for Fathers Day, HollowGear-Bronze, Steampunk
Price not available
Smart.Deal Skeleton Mens Pocket Watch Hand Wind Mechanical Rose Gold Roman Numerals Half Hunter Magnifier
Smart.Deal Skeleton Mens Pocket Watch Hand Wind Mechanical Rose Gold Roman Numerals Half Hunter Magnifier
£30.52

How to Wear a Pocket Watch

There are a few ways in which a pocket watch can be worn. In fact, there are 3 different types of chains; the Albert T Bar, the Belt Bar and the Bolt Ring. Each of these is designed to fit onto a different piece of clothing. One place where someone may choose to wear a pocket watch may be at a wedding.

Wearing a Pocket Watch with a Waistcoat

Traditionally, you would use the Albert T bar chain to attach the pocket watch to a waistcoat. You would want to feed the chain through the buttonhole of your waistcoat and then place the pocket watch into your pocket leaving the chain showing as a decorative piece.

Wearing a Pocket Watch with a 3 Piece Suit

Furthermore, you may choose to wear a pocket watch with a full three-piece suit or perhaps a two-piece without a waistcoat. In order to do this, you would want to attach the pocket watch to your suit jacket. Like the waistcoat, you could feed the chain through the jackets buttonhole and slip the pocket watch into your jacket. However, if this is not possible, you could also use the Bolt Ring chain. This allows you to attach the chain onto the loop for your trouser belt and put the watch safely into the pocket of your trousers.

Wearing a Pocket Watch with Jeans or Steampunk Trousers

Lastly, you could wear a pocket watch with jeans or steampunk trousers. The suggestion is you wear darker colours such as black, grey or very dark blue as lighter, more casual colours may contrast with the pocket watch. Also, possibly choose a slim-fit pair of jeans or trousers as this will have a slightly better look. Just like the suit jacket, use the Bolt Ring chain to attach the pocket watch to your belt loop and then secure it in your trouser pocket. Bringing your jeans or trousers together with a shirt and/or blazer creates the perfect smart casual look.

Choosing the Perfect Pocket Watch

The next important step is choosing the perfect pocket watch. One particular pocket watch, this bronze pocket watch from I-MART, can be bought on Amazon for just over £5. This pocket watch is great for anyone not quite sure if they would wear one or not. To see the clock face, you simply press on the stem of the pocket watch. Similarly, to change the time, you removed the stem from the watch. However, it is important to note that this pocket watch comes with a necklace chain. In order to wear the pocket watch in the ways mentioned above, you will need to buy a chain separately.

I-MART Retro Antique Bronze Pocket Watch with 31Inches Lobster Clasp Necklace Chain
  • Material: Alloy + Glass.
  • Fashionable and Push the stem to open the top, pull out the stem to adjust time.
  • Very vintage look, lots details at the back of the watch.
  • The watch's diameter is about 1.8".

Next, we have a vintage, skeleton pocket watch from BOSHIYA which can be purchased on Amazon for around £15. This pocket watch is brilliant for steampunk fans as it is decorated it with mechanical gears giving it an excellent steampunk theme. To change the time on this pocket watch, you simply pull the crown away from the base of the watch and turn it clockwise until you reach the desired time. This pocket watch runs on a wind-up mechanism. In order to do this, the crown gets turned for about 25 to 30 times and it is suggested you do this in the morning time.

BOSHIYA Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watches for Men Luminous Steampunk Pocket Watch with Chain Black Skeleton Dial Roman Numberals Pocketwatch Gifts for Fathers Day, HollowGear-Bronze, Steampunk
  • 【Unique Steampunk Gear Design】This men's mechanical pocket watch features a dial roman numeral display with a completely skeletonized and Bright black engraved cover, Special skeleton dial with golden movement, make it looks very Elegant, Smart, Vintage and fashionable! (For safety, the front face is made of Acrylic instead of Glass).
  • 【Good Quality Pocket Watch for Men】100% brand new with excellent workmanship, Precise mechanical movement, An elegant case, Good touch feeling. And unique transparent face design help you read the time more easily. 4.7cm case diameter, small size for easy to carry; The chain is 37.5 cm/ 14.8 inch long, good length with a clip on one end to secure the watch.
  • 【Mechanical Movement】No need to use battery. Hand-wound mechanical pocket watches need to be wound regularly, Usually recommended to be wound every morning or at night before going to bed. You only need to turn the crown clockwise about 15-20 times, When you feel the resistance please stop turning. (Magnetic fields/temperatures and shocks can affect the accuracy of a watch, and manual winding and adjustment every day can reduce deviations).
  • 【Fashion Accessory】Have a vintage look with unique skeleton dial, nice addition to formal or casual dressing, suitable for collecting. With a men's watch chain to attach to your suits, vests or pants. Add undeniable style and class to your daily life and fashion.
  • 【Gift Box Package】The watch comes with a classic gift box, the perfect present for your family, friend, and lover. Best Present for Father's Day, Birthday, Wedding, Christmas, Holloween and Memorial Day gifts. We provide a 1-year warranty service, Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or problems.

Finally, we have a stunning skeleton pocket watch from SIBOSUN which you can buy on Amazon for about £18. This pocket watch has a beautiful black, alloy design and the clockface has gold-coloured Roman numerals. This pocket watch is a true bargain as its incredible design makes it look a lot more expensive than it actually is. Like the previous item, this pocket watch also runs on a wind-up mechanism meaning no batteries are required.

Smart.Deal Skeleton Mens Pocket Watch Hand Wind Mechanical Rose Gold Roman Numerals Half Hunter Magnifier
  • ★ "I Love You More Than I Can Say" ? - A Thoughful Pocket Watch Gift Will Help To "Let Your Love Speak" Directly - Beautiful Hollow Case Design Can See The Time Without Opening The Cover, Nicely Packing With Gift Box, Matching Chain, Clearing Cloth & Manual's Instuctions
  • ★ Wanna Stand Out? This Is Your Pocket Watch - Perfect New Year & Valentines-day Gift For Anyone You Love or Yourself, Even Fits The Chef Or Nurse Who Is Not Allowed To Wear A Wrist Watch In The Work Place
  • ★ Must-be Choice - All-match Fashion Design, A Conversation Piece, A Compliments Receiver - It Really Hits The Spot
  • ★ Brttery Needless - Hand-wind Mechanical Movement, Take Batteries Away, Wind Up Before Every Usage, Tightening A Walk For 24 Hours
  • ★ Good Quality - 100% Brand New, Exquise Workmanship, Good Touch Feeling

If you enjoyed this article on how to wear a pocket watch you might also enjoy this article on finding a peaky blinders suit and Steampunk Pocket Watches UK.