Dave Bush
  34 Blossom St.
 Portsmouth NH 03801
 USA
   (603) 436-9721
Email me at Dave@NHwatchsite.com
 
Member since 1981 of National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors #73286



Comparative sizes of pocket watches
 
 
In descriptions of old watches you always see the "size" mentioned, usually it is a number like 12, or 18.  How do you know how big the watch really is?
 
 
 
Movement sizes
 
First some technical fine print and some history - American Pocket watch movements are measured using what is called the Lancashire system.  To determine the size you measure the diameter of the pillar or front plate of the movement
usually, but not always, this is almost the same diameter as the dial
Under this system, a 0 size movement measures 1 & 5/30 inches(1.167).  Then each additional 1/30 of an inch (.033) adds one size, giving us this table:
 
 
Most American Pocket watch movements were made in one of the above 5 standard sizes.  This is handy because many cases and movements can be interchanged (and many have been).  A number of movements were also made in other sizes.
In the earlier years watches tended to be larger, and over time people wanted them smaller.  Ladies watches started out in the 8 to 10 size range and got down to the 0 size or smaller.  Men's watches started out 18 size and in the end were 12 size or smaller.
Finally a small man's pocket watch was down to about the size of a large ladies from 50 years earlier!
 
 
Below are pictured 5 movements in the 5 standard sizes
 
From left to right are sizes   18,   16,   12,   6,   and 0
 
Of course as they get bigger movements also get thicker
 
 
 
Now the cases
Of course the person wearing the watch is really only interested in the size of the outside of the case.  Since the carefully measured movement fits the INSIDE of the case, knowing the exact size of the movement will still only give you a general idea of the actual size of the watch!
 
 
 
These two watches are obviously very different in size
 
But surprise! They both have the same movement!  Both are a size 6!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These two watches both use the same 18 size movement, so they are both 18 size!
 
 
 
 
Conclusions
As you can see, the movement size isn't necessarily the best way to judge the watch.  It does provide one clue of the size, but the diameter of the case is maybe the better way to measure.  That is why in my descriptions I always give the case diameter, and I also say if the watch is maybe a "large 16 size", or a "thin 12 size" etc.
 
 
These are typically sized watches
From left to right are sizes   18,   16,   12,   6,   and  0
Of course as they get bigger, watches also get thicker
The three to the left are generally considered men's sizes, and the two on the right ladies
 
 
 
To conclude, I would always suggest that if you really are not sure what you will be getting that you only buy from a dealer that will allow you to return the watch for any reason!
The sizing of a watch is a decision of personal preference, there is no typical choice


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