In this technological age, many people, especially the younger generation, would not see the need or appreciate the qualities of a chain pocket watch.

Pocket watches are seen as old fashioned. The ability to tell the time comes to people from all sorts of sources. Wristwatches are now the norm and yet even they seem to be dated, as a lot of people in this day and age don't even wear watches any more. They simply use their mobile phones or personal digital assistants to tell the time. Yes, our ability to tell the time is taken for granted now.

That hasnt always been the case. The history of pocket watches extends back to the 16th century, when craftsmen were first able to create portable clocks small enough to hang around the neck or fit inside a pocket. It was at this time when watches emerged as highly desirable commodities.

Imagine the skill needed to hand-produce things as intricate and complex as pocket watches, without modern tools and factories. A watchman would spend months creating a pocket watch. Watch making back then was one of the most difficult, but most respected professions. This craftsmanship didnt come cheap, as each piece was very expensive.

To emphasise the work behind every piece, a pocket watch was usually encased in gold, adding even more value to the masterpiece. It goes without saying that only the rich were able to afford a pocket watch.

But why did they create a pocket watch, you might ask? Why the chain? Surely a wristwatch would have been more practical?

There are two simple reasons for this:

Firstly watches back in the 16th century were specially made with the rich people in mind. That was their market as they were the only ones who could afford to the instruments and pay for the clockmakers skills.

Secondly, rich gentlemen in Europe, where the pocket watch originated from, would never expose their arms in public. They believed that they had to distance themselves from the masses and dress in a way that displayed their wealth. Only labourers exposed their arms, as they had to do the menial jobs. It would have been unthinkable for a person of wealth and position to expose their arm to view the time.

That is why the value of a chain pocket watch has endured, and flourished, throughout the years. It still carries with it the elegance of the upper class and there are many who appreciate its rich history and own some beautiful collections.

Some collectors pieces sell for thousands of dollars. Perhaps the next time you see such a pocket watch being sold on eBay you will understand why it attracts such a high price. Pocket chain watches are beautiful, classic instruments that tell us the time in a far more elegant way than a cell phone.