Antique pocket watches are some of the most intricate pieces
of equipment that man has created and are great for collecting antiques.
There have been a multitude of
brands and
types of watches over the years,
comprised of different materials and all varying in value, which can make
starting a collection difficult. Pocket watches are made up of
two major components called
the watch movement and watch case. The
case is the exterior of the pocket
watch, usually made of precious metal and the
watch movement is the inside of
the watch, and contains all the pieces that make it tick.
These antique Filipiniana pocket watches can
range in price from anywhere from less than 15,000 to 100,000 pesos in value depending on the intricacy of the design
and brand of the watch. Some of these imported brands found here are Omega, Elgin, Longines, and other Swiss watches. Starting an antique pocket watch collection is not only
potentially lucrative but can be an incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable hobby.
There’s a wealth of knowledge about different Filipiniana watches that you can buy. Most stores carrying their name on the face, are
the most popular and sought after.
Estrella Del Norte, Geislammer Bros., and
Felix Ullmann & Co. were some of the stores that sold these pocket watches. They were popular among Filipino gentlemen
and were a
fashion fad at the turn of the century. Most shops selling these pocket watches were
in
Escolta, a commercial district with stores and boutiques selling imported
goods from Japan, the US, and Europe.
 |
| La Estrella del Norte advertisement selling an Omega pocket watch |
 |
| BARONG TAGALOG |
 |
| CHRONOMETER BARONG TAGALOG |
 |
MERALCO Tramvia Conductor's Pocket Watch
MERALCO Transportation Light Power. ELGIN USA |
 |
| ESTRELLA DEL NORTE, OMEGA, Manila-Iloilo. |
 |
| MERIDIAN GREILSAMMER BROS. Manila |
 |
MERIDIAN GREILSAMMER BROS. Manila with Andres Bonifacio's
Balintawak Monument engraving at the back.
Poem of Rizal engraved on the inside back cover. |
 |
| ELGIN Watch with Jose Rizal's profile lightly engraved on the back cover |
 |
| LONGINES GREILSAMMER BROS. MANILA with Spanish - Philippine era fob (Melvin Lam Collection) |
 |
MERIDIAN GREILSAMMER BROS. Manila with intricate back cover design
(Melvin Lam Collection) |
 |
MERIDIAN GREILSAMMER BROS. with Spanish and US-Philippine coins fob.
(Melvin Lam Collection) |
 |
| Rizaliana pocket watches and other memorabilia (Hiyas Book by Mon Villegas) |
 |
| La Estrella del Norte advertisement selling pocket watches, jewelry, and other luxury items |
 |
| Although these Marcos wristwatches are not pocket watches, they have become popular among watch collectors. |
Antique pocket watches are some of the most intricate pieces
of equipment that man has created and are great for collecting antiques.
There have been a multitude of brands and types of watches over the years,
comprised of different materials and all varying in value, which can make
starting a collection difficult. Pocket watches are made up of two major components called
the watch movement and watch case. The case is the exterior of the pocket
watch, usually made of precious metal and the watch movement is the inside of
the watch, and contains all the pieces that make it tick.
There’s a wealth of knowledge about different Filipiniana watches that you can buy. Most stores carrying their name on the face, are
the most popular and sought after. Estrella Del Norte, Geislammer Bros., and
Felix Ullmann & Co. were some of the stores that sold these pocket watches. They were popular among Filipino gentlemen
and were a fashion fad at the turn of the century. Most shops selling these pocket watches were
in Escolta, a commercial district with stores and boutiques selling imported
goods from Japan, the US, and Europe. 
Nice article Sir Ed. It is a very good information for filipiniana collectors. Thank you for sharing it sir.
ReplyDeletei have a postcard photo set by Ricardo Gloria... 1908 manila bay ships warships... and I can't find information ... great white fleet ..but also ruso japanese war..
ReplyDeleteThe Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the powerful United States Navy battle fleet that completed a journey around the globe from 16 December 1907, to 22 February 1909, by order of United States President Theodore Roosevelt. Its mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries, while displaying America's new naval power to the world.
DeleteIt consisted of 16 battleships divided into two squadrons, along with various escorts. Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American martial power and blue-water navy capability. Hoping to enforce treaties and protect overseas holdings, the United States Congress appropriated funds to build American naval power. Beginning in the 1880s with just 90 small ships, over one-third of them wooden and therefore obsolete, the navy quickly grew to include new modern steel fighting vessels. The hulls of these ships were painted a stark white, giving the armada the nickname "Great White Fleet".
Hello Sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all this information! We hope to have you on our youth-oriented show as guest and talk more about your Filipiniana pocket watches.
Many thanks!
I have a junk pocket watch roskopf patent with estrilta del notre name in dial
ReplyDeleteExcellent read, Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. jewelry
ReplyDeleteMeron po ako ng pocket watch meridian
ReplyDeleteMagkano kaya ang presyo
ReplyDeleteMeron po ako Breitling pocket watch
ReplyDeleteMagkano po kaya presyo ?
I have a Estrella Chronometer (Illinois Watch Case Co ELGIN USA).
ReplyDeleteMagkano po kaya worth nito ngayon?
I have a Bagong Tagalog pocket watch. How much po ito ngayon?
ReplyDeleteHi. I am in possession of a Longines Pocket watch by Greislammer Bros with their name and Manila inscribed on the dial. Visually, it is in excellent condition and I aim to service it myself, as soon as I learn more about it. I cannot make out the coin, but it has 1739 and some latin, i have not researched. The back case has somebody's picture on it. My mother had this pocket watch. Can Pinoy Kollector or anybody here enlighten me a bit? Thank you!
ReplyDelete