How to Wear a Pocket Watch
The most traditional way to wear a pocket watch is to simply attach it to the end of a chain, thread it through a buttonhole, and then secure it to your waistcoat pocket while making sure it’s easily accessible.
However, not many people are walking around wearing waistcoats these days, unless you’re going for a particularly formal look. As such, it can be useful to learn how to wear a pocket watch with a vest, how to wear a pocket watch with a suit jacket, and how to wear a pocket watch with a more casual outfit.
What You Will Learn
- How to Wear a Pocket Watch with a Waistcoat
- How to Wear a Pocket Watch with a Suit Jacket
- How to Wear a Pocket Watch Without a Vest or Jacket
- Types of Pocket Watches
- Types of Pocket Watch Chain Attachments
- Other Ways to Style a Pocket Watch
- How to Wear a Pocket Watch Chain FAQs
- Protect Your Favorite Pieces with Specialized Jewelry Insurance
How to Wear a Pocket Watch with a Waistcoat
Traditionally, this was the go-to look for pocket watches, especially in decades past. If you want to borrow the look for formal occasions, and will be wearing a waistcoat, here’s how to wear a pocket watch and chain:
- Attach the pocket watch to the chain.
- Pass the chain through your waistcoat buttonhole.
- Secure the chain in place to your jacket (this step will differ depending on the type of chain).
- Place the watch in your waistcoat pocket, leaving the decorative chain on display.
How to Wear a Pocket Watch with a Suit Jacket
If you’re not wearing a three-piece suit, and don’t have a waistcoat, you will need to secure the pocket watch to your suit jacket as such:
- Attach the pocket watch to your chain.
- Pass the chain through your lapel buttonhole.
- Secure the chain in place (this step will differ depending on the type of chain).
- Place the watch in your breast pocket.
How to Wear a Pocket Watch Without a Vest or Jacket
If you’re not wearing a waistcoat, suit jacket, or vest, you can still wear a pocket watch with really any clothing that features a pocket:
- Attach the pocket watch to the chain.
- Pass the chain either through a buttonhole on your shirt or secure it around a trouser belt loop, if you want to keep the pocket watch in your trouser pocket.
- Secure the chain in place (this step will differ depending on the type of chain).
- Place the watch in either your shirt or pants pocket, leaving the decorative chain on display.
Types of Pocket Watches
Pocket watches come in four primary styles: the open-faced, half hunter, double hunter, and full hunter styles.
Each of these types have their pros and cons. An open-faced pocket watch, for example, is easy to read at a moment’s notice. However, with no covering, the watch face is left susceptible to potential damage via nicks or scratches that may occur over the course of your day-to-day activities. Meanwhile, some prefer the classic, traditional look of a full-hunter pocket watch.
Types of Pocket Watch Chain Attachments
As mentioned above, the way you secure the pocket watch chain in place will differ depending on chain type and attachment, with many options available, including the bolt ring chain, T bar, belt slide chain, and the single Albert and double Albert chain. Some may be more suitable for your outfit than others.
Here are the key differences. But just know that no single chain is better than the other; which one you choose will all depend on how you’d like to wear your pocket watch.
The T Bar
As the name implies, the T bar is a T-shaped bar at the end of the pocket watch chain, which keeps it in place behind the buttonhole. You might see a T bar on a single Albert or double Albert chain. The latter is slightly more ornamental, and with careful styling, it can give the appearance of two chains that incorporate a small decorative ornament called a fob.
A Belt Slide or Belt Bar Chain
This style features a small bar that’s intended to slide over the top of your belt and attach to it. This chain type is only suitable for those who want to keep their pocket watch in the front pocket of a pair of pants.
A Bolt Ring Chain
A bolt ring chain almost looks like a bracelet, with a clasp that you can use to secure the chain either around a belt loop or through a buttonhole.
Other Ways to Style a Pocket Watch
You can also consider styling your pocket watch in other fun ways, such as by ditching the traditional chain and replacing it with a chain necklace, making for an interesting piece of statement jewelry. Similarly, some have worn pocket watches as brooches or as part of a chatelaine.
Remember — there’s no hard and fast rule that says you must wear a pocket watch only with formal wear and only with a chain.
How to Wear a Pocket Watch Chain FAQs
Which Pocket Does a Pocket Watch Go In?
When choosing between placing your piece in your right or left pocket, choose the pocket opposite your dominant hand, so that you can easily access the watch without fumbling around in your waistcoat, shirt, or blazer jacket. So, if you’re right-handed, put the watch in your left pocket. If you’re left-handed, put it in your right pocket.
How Do You Use a Pocket Watch Chain?
The chain attaches to one end of your pocket watch, and the other end is secured in your pocket, after passing the chain through a buttonhole. Or, it can be secured to a belt loop or belt if you’re keeping the watch in a pocket in your trousers.
How Do You Pick the Right Pocket Watch?
If you plan on wearing your pocket watch as part of formal wear, consider your other accessories, including any other jewelry, such as a tie clip or rings. Based on that, choose a pocket watch with the same metal, such as a silver pocket watch if you’re wearing a silver tie clip, or a gold pocket watch if you’re wearing a gold tie clip, etc.
Can You Wear a Pocket Watch as Part of a Smart Casual Outfit?
Yes! While classic ways to wear a pocket watch necessitated a waistcoat, today’s pocket watches can be worn with casual outfits including jeans and a shirt.
Where Can You Buy a Pocket Watch Today?
Pocket watches are often considered vintage or antique jewelry, so you may not have much luck finding a very broad selection at your local jewelry store; instead, try antique sales, markets, and estate sales.
Protect Your Favorite Pieces with Specialized Jewelry Insurance
Whether you invest in a beautiful antique pocket watch or you end up opting for a traditional luxury watch, make sure all of your jewelry is safe with BriteCo’s comprehensive specialty jewelry insurance.
Jewelry insurance can protect your favorite accessories (and your wallet!) in the event of a natural disaster, loss or mysterious disappearance, theft, damage and more, all with worldwide coverage.
Don’t rely on homeowners or renters insurance to protect antique pieces like a pocket watch, either. These policies rarely cover the full value of jewelry, and only under very specific circumstances.
Get your free BriteCo watch insurance quote today!
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