I'm new, and trying to research and gather bits. I really want a pocket watch, because it's a combo of practical (if it still tells time!) and a piece of the Past. The character I'm building would be wealthy enough to have one.
But there aren't many suitable watches out there - and my definition of suitable at its base includes "reproduction that can be lost/destroyed, is cheap".
Yesterday I found a pretty good one. $35. Others might find it useful too. Yes, it's a Chinese Cheapy. Yes, I have not received it yet. But I still think it fits the bill...
It's a repro of a Swiss Bovet 1882 model. It has the very basics down: Roman Numerals, Separate Second hand and sub-face. It is stem winding, but by 1882 this is A-OK from what I can tell. (Stem winding was apparently available mid 1850s, but reserved for Ultra Rich Types, even through the Civil War). See what you think, and when it arrives, I'll let you know first hand. Supposedly this has real glass and not plastic, and is actually mechanical.
http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/105299245.htmlI've bought one other thing from this group, they don't charge you until you confirm delivery. But definitely, Buyer Beware. Hope it helps.