Watch Review: Pocket Watches from Walmart

About a hundred years ago, the pocket watch dominated the American landscape. Names like Elgin and Bulova helped the trains run on time. The wristwatch became popular in the wake of the First World War. Today, the pocket watch has been supplanted by the wristwatch which may itself be replaced by the cell phone. Of course, today's cell phone is being used just like yesterday's old fashioned pocket watch.

Now, if you are going to wear a pocket watch, there is no reason to choose a lame smart phone imitation. You can get a real pocket watch with a Japanese quartz movement for only $12.88 from Walmart. There are at least three varieties to choose from which include a brass case with an eagle in relief on the front cover, a brass case with a locomotive in relief on the cover, and a plain aluminum case with a textured back and shiny front. At $12.88 no precious metals are actually used in these watches. I chose the eagle watch and the plain watch for this review.

For each of these watches, the case itself measures 1 and 7/8 inches in diameter and is about half an inch thick. The watch face is about an inch and a half in diameter. The plain silver-colored watch has a plain white face with numerals for every hour. Additional text simply says "Quartz" on the face between the six o'clock numeral and the central axle. In small print, the numeral six is straddled by "Japan Movt." A date window lies just inboard of the three o'clock numeral. The Eagle pocket watch has a small eagle printed on its face just above the central axle and beneath the twelve o'clock position. The back of the eagle has floral scroll work on the back. All of the Walmart pocket watches come with a fifteen-inch length of chain and a belt clip. The cases open by depressing the winding stem which has a built in button. The winding stem itself is fixed at the three o'clock position.

In everyday use, I found the Walmart pocket watches to be somewhat impractical. Unlike many styles of blue jeans, my business casual khakis don't have an extra pocket within a pocket which can conveniently hold and protect a pocket watch. I was constantly having to exercise care to avoid having car keys and the scratchable plain pocket watch in the same pocket. I also found the belt clip difficult to keep attached to my belt.

Ultimately, however, this watch isn't for daily wear. It's to wear for special occasions when it can compliment particular suits and outfits. It's the watch to wear if you join the Single Action Shooting Society. It's also the watch to wear when you plan to hypnotize someone. This watch is a functional prop and a reminder of a past era. Women might like the plain watch as an accessory to add to a purse with many pockets and pouches.

Of course, if you do have a gunfight scheduled at noon or a train to catch, an old fashioned pocket watch from Walmart might just be the perfect watch for you.

Other articles by this contributor:
How to Find Great Watches at Walmart
Wristwatch Review: Invicta Men's Stainless Steel Skeleton Watch
Saving Money By Living A Retro Lifestyle