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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watches · Form

Fob Watches

Partially verified

Small watches carried on a short fob strap or chain, often tucked into a waistcoat or belt fob pocket rather than a full pocket.

Mechanism

No distinct movement type; defined by the mode of carrying and the accessory fitted to the pendant.

Typical characteristics

  • Small to medium case size
  • Fitted with a short fob strap rather than a long guard chain
  • Often marketed as nurses' or lapel watches when combined with a pin

Identification characteristics

  • Short fob strap or nurse's pin fitting still attached or evidenced by wear on the pendant
  • Smaller case sizes than typical men's pocket watches

Collector significance

Documents the diversification of pocket-watch wearing practice beyond the trouser pocket.

Known variations

  • Nurse's fob watch
  • Lapel-pin fob watch

Photographs

Pocket Watch with Ivory Fob
Pocket Watch with Ivory Fob — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain. Wikimedia Commons file page
International Watch Company - early 20th century example of fob watch
International Watch Company - early 20th century example of fob watch — Mstroh, CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons file page

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. General horological surveys

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.