Our Gallery: Pocket Modernism

These days, many good Dieselpunks think about purchasing a pocket watch. Stylish accessory as it is, such watch gives some reasons for a doubt: isn’t it too old-fashioned? Too steampunk-y? Too far away from the Interbellum aesthetics?

OK, the Diesel Era legacy is very diverse. Most pocket watches offered today are loosely based on the so-called “classic” examples, Victorian or Edwardian or even 18th century timepieces. But a closer look at the actual watches made between the two world wars reveals that this useful device can be ultra-thin, ultra-modern and ultra-sophisticated. It can be digital, you know – in a Dieselpunk sense of the word. Here is a small gallery to help you believe in the watchmakers’ genius. Probably it will also help you to make your choice.

Ulysse Nardin Watch with 10 Complications. 1936

Old-fashioned, you say? Just old-fashioned enough to match your pinstripe suit or military-style outfit.

For frequent travelers, there is a world-time watch. A similar timetool produced today could be called a ‘GMT’:

Vacheron & Constantin World Time. 1936

Need a chronograph? You’ve got it:

Audemars Piguet for Gübelin. 1930s

Black dial? More protection? Here’s the solution:

A. Lange & Söhne Hunting Watch. 1930s

More high-tech? What’s the problem:

Patek Philippe Two-Tone Sector Dial Chronograph. 1938

Just a dress watch, but “in style”? What style exactly? Be assertive:

Zenith keyless dress watch

 

Gustave Sandoz 17 jewels. 1930

 

A. Lange & Söhne. 1940

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Staybrite Dress Watch with Double Date Calendar

 

Omega cal. 38.5L T1. 1937

 

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Dress Watch. Movement: 1927. Case: 1936

 

Longines Lifetime. 1920s

 

Hamilton Cal. 921. 1941

And don’t hesitate to ask for extra features – like a moon phase:

Patek Philippe Digital Perpetual Calendar. 1937

A touch of old Navy (and naval aviation)? All big guns, flying boats and ever-faithful pocket watches?

Auricoste French Navy watch

 

IWC Kriegsmarine pocket watch

 

Longines BU.Aero. U.S. Navy 21 jewels

More feminine maybe? There are ladies aboard our zeppelin, don’t forget!

Vacheron & Constantin Minerva. 1925

 

Saturno Cal. 28mm 15 jewels. 1930s

Digital, we said. No hoax: this style is called American Digital:

Patek Philippe American Digital. 1947

Ah, triple calendar is not digital enough? Well, what would you say about this one:

Vacheron & Constantin unique timepiece for Alexander I Karadjordjevic, King of Yugoslavia. 1931

No reason to hesitate – if you need a pocket watch for your Dieselpunk outfit, just go for it.

Advertisement