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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
Early 20th Century Fob Watch | Fob watch, Horology, Favorite jewelry
Early 20th Century Fob Watch | Fob watch, Horology, Favorite jewelry — uk.pinterest.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (uk.pinterest.com)
L'horloger fob et sa nouvelle collection | OpenMinded
L'horloger fob et sa nouvelle collection | OpenMinded — opnminded.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (opnminded.com)
Lot 156 - Fifteen pocket watches and fob watches, a
Lot 156 - Fifteen pocket watches and fob watches, a — gildings.co.uk, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (gildings.co.uk)
French 18 Karat Gold Semi Pocket Watch Agate Fob - 19th Century » Watch ...
French 18 Karat Gold Semi Pocket Watch Agate Fob - 19th Century » Watch ... — Watch Museum, Rights pending — source and visual checks completed; permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)
19th-century French 18k gold pocket watch with triple-strand foxtail chain and agate fob seal
19th-century French 18k gold pocket watch with triple-strand foxtail chain and agate fob seal — Watch Museum, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)
French 18k gold pocket watch with jeweled monogram case, chain, and agate fob
French 18k gold pocket watch with jeweled monogram case, chain, and agate fob — Watch Museum, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)
Detail of the 18k gold watch case decorated with an enameled and gem-set monogram
Detail of the 18k gold watch case decorated with an enameled and gem-set monogram — Watch Museum, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)
Detail of the multi-tone gold and agate fob seal terminal
Detail of the multi-tone gold and agate fob seal terminal — Watch Museum, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)
French 18-karat gold semi-hunter pocket watch with gem-set monogram and foxtail chain with agate seal fob
French 18-karat gold semi-hunter pocket watch with gem-set monogram and foxtail chain with agate seal fob — watchmuseum.org, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)
Side profile of the French 18-karat gold semi-hunter pocket watch showing the gem-set monogram cover
Side profile of the French 18-karat gold semi-hunter pocket watch showing the gem-set monogram cover — watchmuseum.org, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)
Front view of the French 18-karat gold semi-hunter pocket watch with blue enamel numerals on the outer lid
Front view of the French 18-karat gold semi-hunter pocket watch with blue enamel numerals on the outer lid — watchmuseum.org, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)
Movement view of the French 18-karat gold semi-hunter pocket watch
Movement view of the French 18-karat gold semi-hunter pocket watch — watchmuseum.org, Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Web page (watchmuseum.org)

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.