Remember those pictures of plaids-clad gentleman wearing monocles of your beloved grandfather? If you look closely at his pictures, you will more than likely see a long chain dangling off his lapel. The other end of that chain was attached to the pocket watch which was the only kind of watch available at that time. The pocket watches were so much in fashion that men and women gifted pocket watches and wore them as signs of wealth and power. But as times changed, the importance of time pieces became such that almost every one had to have one. The pocket watches were easy to use and kept time remarkably well. So well, that a few time pieces were passed through several generations of family men and a few extremely good antique pocket-watch timepieces still exist to date in private families.

But of course, taking care of antique pocket watches requires specialized care and cleaning processes. A few things you should be aware of about antique pocket watches are-

Pocket watch crystals were always made round as other shapes were very difficult to make back then

The crystals were always glass and they were hand-blown. Repair of broken glass faces is possible but the handmade crystals are difficult to find nowadays. Each original antique glass face will still have a "bull's eye" in the center where it was attached to the glass blowers pipe. The raised section was filed out but that is what made the pocket watch glass facing unique.

Modern glass crystals are also available as flat, raised or domed according to what requirements you have. And they are also manufactured to fit almost perfectly. Several sizes are available so there is no need to file the edges of the glass facing to make it fit perfectly. If a more exact fit is required, watchmakers use an epoxy resin or UV resin to get the watch face to fit exactly and provide a water tight fit.

Hunting case crystals are the only ones which are a little difficult to find as the crystal should be thin and below the watch surface. The hands of the watch should also be clear of the overlying glass. The diameter and thickness of this type of watch face has to be calibrated perfectly or it will interfere with watch functions.

One common problem nearly every watchmaker will face is about sourcing parts. Swiss watch companies have been around for a long time and they are more than happy to provide spare parts custom made to suit antique watch pieces. But they do not supply genuine case parts to individual dealers to prevent cheating. You might have to send your antique watch piece to the company to get the necessary repairs done. This however takes a lot of time and money.

If your pocket watch has sentimental value, do get in touch with watch craftsmen who can do the necessary repairs for you expertly.