Zakhorloges

Wie denkt dat zakhorloges tot het verleden behoren, heeft het mis. Of u het nu combineert met een klassiek driedelig pak of met een stoere, casual jeans en een horlogeketting: een zakhorloge is de perfecte manier om op te vallen met uw persoonlijke stijl. Bekijk hieronder onze collectie van meer dan 60 modellen – variërend van traditionele mechanische horloges met handopwinding tot onderhoudsvrije quartz-uitvoeringen – en vind het zakhorloge dat bij uw budget en smaak past. Bij ons variëren de prijzen van € 79 voor een Festina verpleegstershorloge tot Iets meer dan € 1000 voor een klassiek handopwindbaar Zwitsers Tissot zakhorloge. Gemiddeld kost een zakhorloge bij Horloge.be tussen € 200 – € 400. Wanneer u voor 18.00 bestelt wordt het horloge nog dezelfde werkdag verzonden. Is het horloge een cadeau, dan kunnen wij het voor u inpakken.

The history of the pocket watch is a fascinating journey that began in the early 16th century. Around 1505, the German locksmith Peter Henlein achieved a breakthrough by inventing the steel mainspring, paving the way for the very first portable timepieces. Known as "Nuremberg eggs," these spherical watches were not yet carried in a pocket but worn on a chain around the neck. Technically, they were far from perfect; they featured only a single hand and could drift by hours each day. Nevertheless, they were an exorbitantly expensive status symbol reserved exclusively for the highest nobility.

The true transformation into the pocket watch as we know it occurred in the 17th century, driven by a shift in men's fashion. Around 1675, King Charles II of England introduced the waistcoat. To fit into these new waistcoat pockets, watchmakers adapted the shape to a flat, round design. At the same time, technology took a massive leap forward: thanks to the invention of the balance spring (co-developed by the Dutchman Christiaan Huygens), watches suddenly became accurate enough to allow for the addition of a minute hand for the first time.

The 18th and 19th centuries marked the golden age of the pocket watch. The Industrial Revolution enabled mass production, meaning the watch was no longer the exclusive preserve of the elite. While royal families and wealthy industrialists continued to flaunt lavishly decorated, solid gold timepieces, the working class gained access to simpler models made of silver or nickel. Moreover, the pocket watch became a crucial tool with the rise of the railways; to prevent train collisions, engineers and conductors needed to be able to read the time with perfect synchronization. Towards the end of this era, in 1896, the introduction of the legendary 'Dollar Watch' democratized timekeeping, as almost everyone could then afford a reliable pocket watch.

This success came to an abrupt end in the early 20th century with the outbreak of the First World War. In the trenches, fumbling for a watch in a waistcoat pocket proved far too impractical and dangerous. Soldiers therefore began strapping watches to their wrists. After the war ended in 1918, the wristwatch definitively took over the market, and the pocket watch largely disappeared from everyday life. Since then, it has endured as a nostalgic family heirloom, a cherished collector's item, or a classic statement accessory worn with a three-piece suit.

Different types of pocket watches

Pocket watches are classified based on their case construction. The very first pocket watches lacked a protective cover (known as ‘Open face’ or ‘Lépine’). When pocket watches became popular among the working class—such as railway workers, sailors, and farmers—in the 19th century, the glass faces were easily damaged or scratched. To protect the fragile glass from shocks, impacts, and dirt, the ‘Hunter’ or ‘Savonette’ case was designed, featuring a sturdy metal spring-loaded cover. Pressing the button on the crown (positioned at 3 o'clock) causes the lid to pop open. Although the Hunter offered excellent protection, it introduced a new practical issue. Users found it inconvenient to have to manually flip open the lid every time they wanted to check the time—a particular hassle when their hands were full. Consequently, the ‘Half-Hunter’ or ‘Demi-Savonette’ was developed; it featured a small glass window in the lid and hour markers engraved on the outer rim. This allowed the wearer to tell the time at a glance without needing to open the watch. Finally, there are the ‘Double-Hunter’ and ‘Double-Half-Hunter’ models. These feature two spring-loaded covers: one at the front protecting the dial and another at the back. When both covers are open, the watch can stand upright like a small table clock.

Nurse’s watch (nurse’s fob)

Because wristwatches are strictly prohibited in healthcare settings due to hygiene regulations (nothing may be worn below the elbow), this type of watch was specifically designed to keep the wrists and hands completely free. Not technically a pocket watch, it is worn upside down, attached to the breast pocket, lapel, or collar of the uniform. Some healthcare workers choose to attach the watch to a trouser pocket or a lanyard.

Pocket watches for men and women

The main difference between pocket watches for men and women is their size. Men's pocket watches typically have a diameter of between 45 mm and 55 mm; they need to fit comfortably in the hand, and the dial must be clearly legible at a glance. Women's pocket watches are considerably smaller and lighter (usually between 25 mm and 35 mm). Men traditionally carry their pocket watches in the waistcoat pocket of a three-piece suit or vest, with the watch attached to a buttonhole by a metal chain. 
Since traditional women's clothing lacked waistcoat pockets, women wore their watches visibly as pieces of jewelry. They were worn on long chains around the neck or pinned to the bodice or waist with a decorative brooch. Consequently, women's 'pocket' watches today often still take the form of a pendant.

How to choose a pocket watch

If you are considering purchasing a pocket watch, we recommend thinking about the following points beforehand: Type If you want a pocket watch purely for style or to complete a three-piece suit, an open-face model will suffice. However, if you plan to wear the watch daily, we recommend choosing a model with a protective cover.

Battery vs. manual winding

Modern pocket watches (dating from approx. 1850 onwards) are wound simply by turning the knob (crown) at the top. If you want your watch to always keep accurate time, choose a contemporary quartz model; these are precise and require little maintenance.

Color and material

A pocket watch made of real gold, silver, or gold-plated metal is traditional and beautiful, but also quite delicate. Stainless steel is durable and strong.

Chain and stand

When purchasing a pocket watch, check whether the matching chain is included. If not, you will need to buy the chain separately. Store your pocket watch in the box it came in or purchase a special pocket watch stand. You can find these on our accessories page.

Style tips 

• Wearing a gold pocket watch? Make sure your watch chain, belt buckle, cufflinks, and any other jewelry are gold-colored as well. This adds the perfect finishing touch.
• Never keep loose change, keys, or a lighter in the same pocket as the watch; this prevents deep scratches. 
• Also, always wear the watch with the dial facing towards your body. If you bump into something, the metal back will protect the delicate glass.

Popular choices

The most popular pocket watches on the Horloge.be website are the silver-toned Festina pocket watches with a front-opening lid, followed by the Mondaine pocket watch. Among the nurses' watches, the gold-toned Tissot is the most sought-after.

How much does a pocket watch cost at Horloge.be?

At Horloge.be, you can shop for quartz pocket watches ranging from approximately €99 to €850 for a gold-plated model. A hand-wound pocket watch costs between €300 and €1,500. Nurses' watches cost between €75 and €225.

Frequently asked questions about pocket watches

How do you wear a pocket watch?

A pocket watch is almost always paired with a special chain, known as a watch chain or waistcoat chain (often referred to as a "fob chain" in English). When wearing a waistcoat or a three-piece suit, place the watch in one of the waistcoat pockets. If you are right-handed, choose the left pocket so you can retrieve the watch with your left hand while keeping your right hand free. Attach the end of the chain (usually a T-bar or a small hook) to one of the waistcoat's buttonholes. 
With jeans, place the pocket watch in the "fob pocket"—the small, narrow pocket located inside the right front pocket of your trousers, originally designed for this purpose. Then, attach the chain to one of the belt loops. 
If you are wearing a jacket or blazer but no waistcoat, place the watch in the jacket's inside pocket or breast pocket. Attach the chain's clip or T-bar to the buttonhole on the jacket's lapel.

How do you wear a nurse's watch?

A nurse's watch (or nurse's fob) is worn upside down on the uniform's collar, breast pocket, or lapel, allowing the healthcare professional to read the time instantly by simply tilting the watch upwards.

Are pocket watches still being made?

Certainly! Although pocket watches are no longer everyday essentials, they remain popular as collector's items and fashion accessories (often driven by vintage trends and shows like ‘Peaky Blinders’). They are still manufactured by a wide range of brands, from affordable options like Festina to accessible luxury brands like Tissot. 

Is a pocket watch a good gift?

Although a (gold) pocket watch was the traditional retirement gift for decades, it remains a wonderful present for life's major milestones today. Think of a graduation, a wedding, or a meaningful family heirloom passed down from father to son. By adding a personal engraving, you give a gift with lasting emotional value. Curious about the options? Our customer service team would be happy to tell you more. You can also visit our blog for further inspiration on gifting watches.