TIME HAS COME TODAY

There are a few accessories that separate a well-dressed man from a distinguished, gracious gentleman-a fine walking cane, a collar pin, a briar pipe, and a pocket watch.

Like many accessories worn by our grandfathers that are now sitting on the sartorial shelves of antiquity, the pocket watch is slowly making its way into the pockets and hearts of today's modern gentleman.

Pocket watches are not only bits of nostalgia but as many men as well as women have found, a timeless heirloom (no pun intended) that links them to their ancestors. I wasn't as lucky as some people to display proudly a watch carried by my grandfather, but I can remember the first time I saw my great uncle check the time on his, and remembered thinking how manly he looked. From that moment on, I knew the power of such accessories and I wanted to acquire that, even if only for the sake of connecting past to present.

If you are one of the few men and women who may be blessed to possess a father or grandfather’s pocket watch, or bought, thinking of buying, or received one as a gift, knowing how to wear one may be on your mind.  There are a good nine different ways of wearing a pocket watch, but there are three most likely used today, the (1) T-bar chain, (2) double Albert chain,and the (3) belt clip chain.

The T-bar is placed through a button-hole, allowing the bar to rest vertically in the hole.  It is usually worn on a vest but can also be used with a shirt or blouse.

The most elegant and Victorian way to wear a pocket watch is the double Albert chain.  It is essentially a long chain divided in the middle by a T-bar.  One end is attached to the watch while the other is attached to a tool, such as a cigar cutter.  The Albert also displays an ornament of some type.  This style is the most authentic, especially within polite society, and the most prized by collectors.

The last version is the belt clip chain.  This style of course clips on a belt, yet I’ve seen some clipped on garments as well.  Wearing this style is great for everyday wear but is best worn concealed as not to resemble a chain hanging from a zoot suit, unless that’s your thing.

Whichever style chosen, the pocket watch is a distinguishing piece of yesterday that is not only simple, but also symbolic and can only enhance one’s look for the better.   

The American Whaltham Original

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TIME PIECES
1.   Avalon 17 Jewel Mechanical Skeleton ($67.99), amazon.com;  2.  A Colibri Mechanical Pocket Watch ($59.95), amazon.com;  3.  Charles Hubert 3846 two-tone pocket piece ($90.00), amazon.com;  4.  Charles Hubert 3816-W dual time mechanical watch ($190.00), amazon.com;  5.  A Groomsman Watch ($23.95), weddingshopusa.com;  6.  Legere Bpw-805 Gold Pocket Watch ($46.63), shop.com.