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Watch Fobs

Watch fobs, which in their most basic form consist of a small chain that attaches to the watch to make it easier to grasp, came into popularity around the 18th century. At the time, pocket watch wearers became frustrated with the only prior option: a pocket. Men’s waistcoats were designed with a special exterior pocket for a watch, but many wanted their timepiece to be more secure.

Soon after, fine metal chains in gold and silver began appearing, artfully attaching the pocket watch to a button lapel. As an added adornment, some paid for extensions, featuring anything from hallmarked silver seals to dazzling dangles that swung from the fob’s lapel attachment.

The fob was thus transformed into an artful statement of elegance that was otherwise utilitarian in nature, saving an entire generation’s pocket watches from precarious falls while adding a bit of luxury to their outfits.


Quick Facts

  • Some women during the Victorian era created fobs that held a lock of their hair, serving as a memento for their husbands to wear daily
  • The use of fob to describe a pocket watch accompaniment began in the 17th century, and its name was most likely derived from the old German colloquial “fuppe,” which referred to a pocket
  • Watch fobs could also be a means of commemorating historic events. In early 2015, a rare “Last Spike” gold fob was auctioned off, one of only a handful that were made to memorialize the completion of the transcontinental railroad in the late 1860s

Recommended Items at Auction

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Oroton gold coloured fob style chain 90m cm long
Feb 19, 10:00 AM AEDT
Oroton gold coloured fob style chain 90m cm long
by Woodlands Auctions
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD152 Bids
Two 19thC gilt metal pendant fobs seals, one set w…
Feb 23, 9:00 AM GMT
Two 19thC gilt metal pendant fobs seals, one set w…
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £100- £150
£1001 Bid
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3 x Victorian Sterling Silver fob chains
Feb 22, 1:00 PM AEDT
3 x Victorian Sterling Silver fob chains
by Moorabool Auctions
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD1001 Bid
ANTIQUE WATCH FOB MADE FROM HAIR!
Feb 18, 10:00 AM EST
ANTIQUE WATCH FOB MADE FROM HAIR!
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $25- $50
$101 Bid
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IH International Harvester Crawler Bulldozer Watch Fob STATE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
Feb 21, 9:30 AM EST
IH International Harvester Crawler Bulldozer Watch Fob STATE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
by Figlio Designs LLC
Est: $50- $100
$120 Bids
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Victorian 10K Yellow Gold Hi Polished Cigar Cutter, Watch Fob, vest fob 5.2 gram
Feb 21, 9:30 AM EST
Victorian 10K Yellow Gold Hi Polished Cigar Cutter, Watch Fob, vest fob 5.2 gram
by Figlio Designs LLC
Est: $600- $1,000
$2700 Bids
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Antique 9ct gold, agate and carnelian fob and chai…
Feb 16, 10:00 AM AEDT
Antique 9ct gold, agate and carnelian fob and chai…
by Amanda Addams Auctions
Est: AUD700- AUD900
AUD5500 Bids
A yellow metal fob with claddagh detail and set wi…
Feb 23, 9:00 AM GMT
A yellow metal fob with claddagh detail and set wi…
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £50- £100
£500 Bids
A 19thC 9ct gold pendant fob set with spinning bul…
Feb 23, 9:00 AM GMT
A 19thC 9ct gold pendant fob set with spinning bul…
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £150- £200
£1400 Bids
A gilt metal fob / pendant of egg form with champl…
Feb 23, 9:00 AM GMT
A gilt metal fob / pendant of egg form with champl…
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £40- £60
£400 Bids
An 18K Yellow Gold Spinning Fob Pendant.
Feb 17, 10:00 AM GMT
An 18K Yellow Gold Spinning Fob Pendant.
by Cadmore Auctions
Est: £450- £600
£4400 Bids
2 Reproduction gold coloured fob chains 45 & 23 cm long
Feb 19, 10:00 AM AEDT
2 Reproduction gold coloured fob chains 45 & 23 cm long
by Woodlands Auctions
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD100 Bids
Antique Victorian Mourning Watch Fob with Marcel Pocket Watch
Feb 23, 1:00 PM EST
Antique Victorian Mourning Watch Fob with Marcel Pocket Watch
by Block Auction House
Est: $10- $10,000
$50 Bids
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Gold fob chain, thick 9ct links totalling 34.6g
Feb 22, 1:00 PM AEDT
Gold fob chain, thick 9ct links totalling 34.6g
by Moorabool Auctions
Est: AUD1,400- AUD1,600
AUD5000 Bids
ANTIQUE 14K GOLD HARDSTONE INTAGLIO WATCH FOB/LOCKET.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM EST
ANTIQUE 14K GOLD HARDSTONE INTAGLIO WATCH FOB/LOCKET.
by William Smith Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Watch Fobs


Claydon Auctioneers

Claydon Auctioneers

Woodlands Auctions

Woodlands Auctions

Figlio Designs LLC

Figlio Designs LLC