Last year we were buying my son's high school ring and I decided to also pick up a pocket watch
. I told him that I may not have much to leave behind for him but I at least wanted to leave him this pocket watch. I don't know why I chose a pocket watch. All I know is that it seemed like the right thing to choose. I thought about it for a while and then it occurred to me that a well-made pocket watch is a perfect heirloom to leave behind. It is something that future generations will always need and use and something that they can easily store and cherish.
The watch I have has many generations to go through before it can be considered antique but antique pocket watches make perfect heirlooms to leave for future generations. It is especially nice if the antique pocket watches you are leaving behind are precision built because while antique pocket watches are nice if you have antique pocket watches that can still tell perfect time then you really have something of high value. Sometimes the perceived value of antique pocket watches is higher than the actual value.
Sometimes you happen upon antique pocket watches in places you would never expect. There was a story some years ago of a person that was able to find priceless antique pocket watches at his local flea market. If you know what you are looking for then you can find antique pocket watches just about anywhere.
A garage sale may the place to find antique pocket watches although there has to be a certain amount of guilt involved in paying fifty cents for something you know is worth much more than that. Buying antique pocket watches should not be an occasion to wrestle with one's conscience. But there is a huge availability out there if you just know where to look and know what you are looking for.
Treasures for Future Generations
When you get something as valuable as an heirloom pocket watch you should always keep track of it and keep it in a safe place. Never give something so valuable to anyone too young to deal with it. I was given a few heirlooms when I was very young and today I lament losing them as a youth so that I am not able to enjoy them now. So be selective on whom you give these heirlooms to and remember that it is only an heirloom if it makes it to the next generation.