The proper use of a watch in any historic reenactment can make the difference between a good portrayal and one that is truly memorable.

Because organized shooting events often require a participant to be at a certain place at a specified time, it’s probably a pretty good idea to have some sort of timepiece at one’s disposal.

Many folks expend large amounts of time and money carefully researching and obtaining proper items for an authentic portrayal. While pursuing the hobby to that length may not be for all of us, we can’t help but admire those that do their level best to be as authentic as they can, and in the process make an impression that is remembered for a long time.

Nothing ruins the effect of an otherwise great- lookin’ get-up more than the sight of the latest and greatest offering from Mr. Timex peeking out from under the sleeve of that Wah Maker shirt. We all know it’s not the 1880’s, and we live in the modern world, but geez, it could be so close, if it weren’t for stuff like this.

At the beginning of this diatribe I said the “proper” use of a watch. So, you ask yerself, “just what does this armchair know-it-all mean when he says that?" Well, listen up pardner, and prepare to be edumacated!

In the old, old days (like before 1850) watches were chiefly made in Europe, and were imported to the US. At that time, they were made in shops called ateliers [fancy foreign word alert here]. The parts were made by hand, using different people, who often worked from their homes. As a result, parts like escapement wheels, made to fit the same type of watch, would be delivered to the atelier for assembly with different weights and dimensions. Assembling completed watches from these buggers required an awful lot of handwork and fitting to make ‘em run proper, and as a result, timepieces were very expensive to own.

Because of the variance in parts, and the way they were put together, most watches really weren’t that accurate. But, they got the job done. If you wanted a plain, working-grade watch during the 1830’s, one could be had in the States for about seventy-five hard-earned dollars, or roughly 3 ¾ ounces of gold, which would be worth around $2,400 or more today. Ouch!

Now, a few years later some Yankee entrepreneurs got together and figgered if they could make cotton gins and guns with interchangeable parts and sold on the cheap, then surely the same could be done with a watch! So, they got some mechanical-type fellows together, made some parts and built watches out of ‘em. And they worked! Watches made using uniform, interchangeable parts could be assembled and calibrated much easier, and were more accurate than anything coming from across the pond that mere mortals could own.

Most of ‘em were made back east (Yankees, remember?) or in the recently settled wilds of Illinois. Names like American Watch Company, Rockford, Elgin, and Dueber, are just a few that quickly come to mind. By the 1870’s one could purchase a sturdy, accurate Amurrican-made watch for about $50. But, whoah! That was still a passel of money back then. Heck, in those days you could buy a brace of Colts from the Colonel for that amount. And you know how long the average cowpoke or working man had to labor just to earn fifty dollqrs, let alone save that amount! Hmm, now are you getting’ my point?

Until the early 1900’s, purchasing a watch was an expensive proposition. And they weren’t worn on the wrist until after WWI. While plenty of folks in towns had them, they were able to do so by working for higher wages than their backwoods brethren. So, keep this mind sodbuster before you go forth sportin’ that gold hunter-cased Elgin to the doin’s.

For those of you portrayin’ fancy folks, with swanky duds and all, a gold-cased watch, with ornate chain may be just the thing. And for you working-class types, if you got anything other than a plain, nickel-cased timepiece, it’d be best to keep it in your pocket. But please, wear it on a chain or fob so you don’t lose it chasin’ desperadoes and such. Of course, there is the possibility of a clodbuster obtaining a gold watch by another means other than stealin’ it, such as winnin’ one in a card game.

The point I’m tryin’ to make is this: by doing a little research, and applying a bit of horse-sense toward puttin’ together your get-up, you can have fun with a portrayal that is authentic and sensible. The difference is in the details, and just like the missus says, “it’s the little things that count.”

Keep informed about Will's new articles by subscribing to our Old West Newsleter.

Do you have any questions or comments about this  article? Contact Will