A critically acclaimed BBC drama has caused a shortage of antique pocket watches as gentlemen take style tips from the show’s leading men.
‘Peaky Blinders’ is a crime drama set in Birmingham in 1919 after WWI and focuses on Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby as he runs the organised crime gang, The Peaky Blinders.
Created by Steven Knight, the show offers a colourful glimpse into post-war Birmingham and has been lauded not only for its gripping story lines but also the costume design behind the show, with the tailoring and accessories, as well as haircuts, becoming mainstream trends this year.
From beautifully tailored three-piece-suits to shaved fade hairstyles, men are embracing the Peaky Blinders style with it now extended to men opting for an antique pocket watch to finish their look, which has now led to a shortage!
Demand has significantly increased for silver and gold antique pocket watches, especially in Birmingham, with it being referred to as “The Peaky Blinders Effect”.
David Johnson who runs a Birmingham jewellery store commented on this new found interest, saying:
“We noticed an increase in demand for pocket watches a couple of years ago as the fashion trend gave men the opportunity of wearing waistcoats again.
“Because we buy old jewellery as well as selling it, we had built up a small stockpile of pocket watches while they were out of fashion, but now that stock has gone and we are struggling to keep up with demand.
“Pocket watches were both a practical timepiece and a status symbol from the Victorian era until they were superseded by wristwatches around the time of World War I, but they continued to be a traditional gift for employees from their employers on retirement.
“One of the elements that affects the price and scarcity of complete pocket watches is that sometimes the hinge doesn’t survive the test of time and they’re extraordinarily expensive to repair, so nice, working examples are becoming rare.”
If you enjoy the more stylish items in life, why not finish your look off by taking a leaf out the Peaky Blinders style and wear an antique pocket watch or a classical men’s watch from Pieces of Time? We have a fantastic array of beautiful timepieces that will complete any look, which you can see here.
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