In America, from the 1890s on, the open face pocket watch case was a required feature on railroad grade watches, according to the railroad timekeeping standards established by W.C. The crystal and case back were typically hinged, threaded, or snapped into place. The time can be quickly read without the need to open any covers. These sailors often wanted images painted onto their dials, and thus began the practice of decorated dials.Īn open face watch case as its name implies means the crystal (glass covering the dial) is exposed, with nothing to cover it, and is one of the oldest styles of pocket watch cases. Interestingly, near the end of the 18th century into the early 19th century, sailors were some of the first individuals outside of elite society to begin using pocket watches when watchmakers began making and marketing their timepieces for use at sea. It wasn’t until the 19th century that pocket watches began to fall in the price range of the average person. This type of watch case was usually ornate and fell deep in the luxury item category of the 18th century. During the 18th century, the most common type of pocket watch case was the pair case and it consisted of an inner case that protected the movement, and an outer case that enclosed and protected the inner case and movement from dust and debris.
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