The timeless appeal of wearing a pocket watch makes you look stylish and elegant. But if you do not know how to wear a pocket watch properly, you can fall into a fashion faux pas.

To avoid getting the wrong attention, these are the tips in how to wear a pocket watch.

Tips in wearing a pocket watch

There are many ways to wear a pocket watch. However, here are the general things you should remember in donning a pocketwatch:

•    Just as you wear a wristwatch in your non-dominant hand, the pocket watch should be inside your left pocket if you are right-handed.

•    Once kept inside your pocket, the watch face should be towards your body.

•    Avoid scratching the surface of your pocket watch. Do not put it inside your pocket with other hard objects like cigarette lighters and coins.

•    The pocket watch case and chain should be of the same metal. If your pocket watch is made of gold, the chain should also be in the same material. Likewise, if your pocket watch is attached to your belt loop, the belt buckle should also match the color of the pocket watch.

This masonic pocket watch looks elegant with its matching fob chain. This also looks impeccable when paired with a gold belt buckle.

•    Keep your look simple; avoid wearing a pocket watch and a wrist watch at the same time.

How to tell time with a pocket watch?

•    When using an open faced pocket watch:

As you pull the pocket watch to tell time, grasp the top loop – called the bow – with your forefinger and thumb. Then flip your hand (palms toward you) as the pocket watch rests on your three other fingers.

•    When you are using a hunter case pocket watch:

Once you have pulled out the pocket watch by its bow, your three fingers should firmly grasp the pocket watch, and then gently press down the winding knob to open the lid. Flick your thumb to close the pocket watch cover.

What is a pocket watch fob?

A fob has many definitions with regards to a pocket watch.

In the 18th century, men’s waistcoats were fitted with a small pocket used to keep pocket watches. This tiny sac was aptly called a fob pocket or sometimes it was just shortened to fob.

When waistcoats were no longer fashionable, men kept their pocket watches inside their jeans or trouser pockets. It was easier to fish out the pocket watch when there was a short chain or leather ribbon tethered to the timepiece. This was called a fob chain.

The fob also means a heavy pendant or medallion attached to the pocket watch chain to weigh it down as it dangles attractively from the vest or pant’s pocket. This is often called a fob medal.

There are many types of pocket watch chains and each one has a specific use. Pocket watch fobs can be made of metal or leather.

How to wear a pocket watch on a vest?

When wearing pocket watch with vest, you have several choices for the pocket watch chain:

Pocket watch t-bar chain

The pocket watch t bar has a horizontal bar at the end of the chain. You anchor the t bar inside a button hole and allow the length of the chain to drape across your vest. The pocket watch rests inside your vest’s front pocket.

Pocket watch double albert chain

Wearing this pocket watch chain was attributed to Queen Victoria’s consort Prince Albert. The double albert has two chains attached to the t-bar. The first chain is for the watch while the other is for the fob pendant.

How to wear pocket watch with a suit?

With a t-bar chain, slide the pocket watch inside the breast pocket. This is the inner pocket of a coat, suit, or sports jacket. Ease the fob medal into the lapel’s buttonhole to secure the pocket watch.

How to wear a pocket watch with jeans?

How do you wear a pocket watch without a vest or coat? You can do this using a pocket watch belt clip chain.

One end of the chain has a spring ring that anchors to the belt loop. The other end is tethered to the pocket watch’s bow. Traditionally, the pocket watch is put inside the jeans’ small pocket. You may also place the pocket watch in the back pocket. Allow the chain to dangle from the belt loop to the pocket.

How to wear a pocket watch with tux?

When the dress code says black tie, there is nothing dandier than wearing a pocket watch with a tuxedo.

Classic tuxedos are worn with waistcoats. When wearing a pocket watch with a tux, thread the fob chain through a buttonhole in the middle and insert the pocket watch in the small waistcoat pocket. The other end of the fob chain is often anchored by a cigar cutter.

How to wear pocket watch for ladies?

Women’s pocket watches looks elegant and chic. There are usually worn around the neck. Necklace pocket watches look like large pendants. Hence, they are often called ladies pendant watches.

Vintage ladies pocket watches are great fashion accessories. When wearing a lady’s pocket watch, keep your other jewelry minimal. Make the watch stand out and compliment your outfit.

Lady’s pocket watches often have fancy designs such as this charming heart pocket watch necklace. Young women look fashionable wearing this pocket watch pendant.