These items have been sold, and the description, image and price ($US) are for reference purposes only.

The first pocket watches were invented in the 16th century, and at that time, all pocket watches were key-wound. The first keys were simple, T-shaped pieces of metal, but over time, they became more ornate and decorative.

In the 19th century, a new type of pocket watch was invented that did not require a key to wind. These watches, called stem-wind watches, had a small stem that projected from the case and could be used to wind and set the time. As a result, the demand for key-winding keys declined, and they are now considered to be antiques, and are collectable.

There are many different types of antique pocket watch winding keys. Some of the most common types include:

•    T-bar keys: These are the most common type of antique pocket watch winding key. They have a T-shaped end that fits into the more... winding hole of the watch.

•    Revolver keys: These keys have a cylindrical barrel with a series of teeth on the outside. The teeth fit into the winding hole of the watch and rotate the mechanism.

•    Fusee keys: This type of key is used to wind watches with a fusee mechanism. The fusee is a cone-shaped weight that stores energy and releases it slowly to power the watch. The key has a long, thin shaft that fits into the winding hole of the watch and turns the fusee.

•    Stem keys: This type of key is used to wind watches with a stem winding mechanism. The stem is a small rod that projects from the watch case and is used to set the time and wind the watch. The key has a small, pointed end that fits into the hole in the stem and turns it.

The keys can be made from a variety of materials, including brass, silver, and gold. They can also be decorated with engraving or other designs. less...

A collection of four various antique watch keys and a…
Antique Watch Keys and Hard-Stone Pendant Collection, 19th Century

A collection of four various antique watch keys and a hard-stone pendant English 19th century. A collection of four various antique watch keys and a hard-stone pendant. English 19th century

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A collection of four large antique hard-stone set watch keys…
Antique Hard-Stone Set Watch Keys Collection, English 18th/19th Century

A collection of four large antique hard-stone set watch keys English 18th/19th century. A collection of four large antique hard-stone set watch keys. English 18th/19th century

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A collection of six various antique watch keys 19th century. A…
Antique 19th Century Watch Key Collection: Six Unique Pieces

A collection of six various antique watch keys 19th century. A collection of six various antique watch keys. 19th century

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Two antique hard-stone set gold and gilt-metal watch keys…
Antique hard-stone set watch keys, English 19th century

Two antique hard-stone set gold and gilt-metal watch keys English 19th century. Two antique hard-stone set gold and gilt-metal watch keys. English 19th century

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A collection of five various antique hard-stone set gold and…
Antique Hard-Stone Set Gold Watch Keys Collection, 19th Century England

A collection of five various antique hard-stone set gold and gilt metal watch keys English 19th century. A collection of five various antique hard-stone set gold and gilt metal watch keys. English 19th century

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A collection of five various antique watch keys English 19th…
Antique English 19th Century Watch Key Collection: Five Varieties

A collection of five various antique watch keys English 19th century. A collection of five various antique watch keys. English 19th century

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A collection of five various antique gold and jewelled watch…
Antique Gold and Jewelled Watch Keys Collection, 19th Century England

A collection of five various antique gold and jewelled watch keys English 19th century. A collection of five various antique gold and jewelled watch keys. English 19th century

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A collection of five various antique hard-stone gilt metal…
Antique Hard-Stone Gilt Metal Watch Keys Collection, 19th Century

A collection of five various antique hard-stone gilt metal watch keys English 19th century. A collection of five various antique hard-stone gilt metal watch keys. English 19th century

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Two antique silver gun watch keys and two ratchet keys English…
19th Century Antique Silver Gun Watch and Ratchet Keys Set

Two antique silver gun watch keys and two ratchet keys English 19th century. Two antique silver gun watch keys and two ratchet keys. English 19th century

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A collection of various antique watch keys English 19th century…
Antique English Watch Keys Collection: 19th Century and Earlier

A collection of various antique watch keys English 19th century and earlier. A collection of various antique watch keys. English 19th century and earlier

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Four antique pocket watch keys, 14ct and 15ct yellow gold…
Antique 19th Century 14ct and 15ct Gold Pocket Watch Keys

Four antique pocket watch keys, 14ct and 15ct yellow gold examples, 19th century, the largest 1.38 in. long

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Two 19th century silver fob watch keys both with European marks,…
Pair of European Silver Fob Watch Keys

Two 19th century silver fob watch keys both with European marks, length 52 & 2.20 in.

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Two pocket watch keys one advertising for Volkmann & Tucker,…
Cuban Watch Key: Volkmann & Tucker Advertisement

Two pocket watch keys one advertising for Volkmann & Tucker, Cuba St Wellington

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Three antique gold plated watch keys, a trumpet shape set with…
Antique Gold Plated Watch Keys with Gemstones

Three antique gold plated watch keys, a trumpet shape set with sard-onyx, 1.65 in., one set with a carnelian and a blood stone, missing bale, 1.50 in., other set with a bloodstone and a foil backed stone, 1.18 in.

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Collection five fancy pocket watch keys gold plated with single…
Set of Five Gold-Plated Pocket Watch Keys with 12ct Single

Collection five fancy pocket watch keys gold plated with single in 12ct

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A collection of antique fob seals and watch keys, including…
Antique Fob Seals and Watch Keys Collection

A collection of antique fob seals and watch keys, including hardstone and paste set in gold lined mounts.

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A collection of four 19th century watch keys, two gold and two…
19th Century Watch Keys Collection

A collection of four 19th century watch keys, two gold and two gold plated. (4). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of ten 19th century watch key fobs, one in the…
19th Century Watch Key Fob Collection with Semi-Precious Stones

A collection of ten 19th century watch key fobs, one in the form of an axe, four set with semi previous stones, five smaller with ornate gold tops. (10). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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Five 19th century gold and gold plated watch key fobs, three…
19th Century Gold Watch Key Fobs with Semi-Precious Stones

Five 19th century gold and gold plated watch key fobs, three attached to chains, four set with semi precious stones. (5). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of nine 19th century watch keys, two locket design…
19th Century Watch Keys Collection

A collection of nine 19th century watch keys, two locket design with enamel decoration, three set with semi previous stones, one rope twist design, one key and foliate design. (9). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of five 19th century watch keys, all set with semi…
19th Century Watch Keys with Semi-Precious Stones (5)

A collection of five 19th century watch keys, all set with semi previous stones, mostly 9ct gold. (5). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of five early 19th century watch keys, mostly gold…
19th Century Gold Watch Keys Collection

A collection of five early 19th century watch keys, mostly gold with foliated decoration. (5). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of fifteen 19th century watch keys, eight set with…
19th Century Watch Key Collection with Semi-Precious Stones

A collection of fifteen 19th century watch keys, eight set with semi previous stones, eight plain gold or gold plated. (15). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of four 19th century watch keys, each set with…
Turquoise-Set 19th Century Watch Keys (4)

A collection of four 19th century watch keys, each set with round cabochon turquoise. (4). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of nine 19th century watch key fobs, set with semi…
19th Century Semi-Precious Stone Watch Key Fobs Collection

A collection of nine 19th century watch key fobs, set with semi previous stone, bloodstones, carnelian, amethyst and others. (9). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of eight 19th century watch keys, mostly gold…
19th Century Watch Key Collection

A collection of eight 19th century watch keys, mostly gold plated set with hard and semi previous stones, one with cut steel mount. (8). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of seven 19th century watch keys, two with enamel…
19th Century Watch Keys Collection

A collection of seven 19th century watch keys, two with enamel decoration, three gem set, two set with hardstones. (7). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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Four 19th century gold plated watch key fobs, one designed as a…
19th Century Gold Plated Watch Key Fobs (Set of 4)

Four 19th century gold plated watch key fobs, one designed as a swan, two as scissors, the other a pair of pincers. (4). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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Three 19th century gold watch keys, raised foliate decoration.…
19th Century Gold Watch Keys with Foliate Decoration

Three 19th century gold watch keys, raised foliate decoration. (3). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of six 19th century silver watch keys, various…
19th Century Silver Watch Keys Collection

A collection of six 19th century silver watch keys, various designs including hammer and axe, axe and saw, initials etc. (6). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of thirteen early 19th century watch keys, mainly…
19th Century Gold Watch Key Collection

A collection of thirteen early 19th century watch keys, mainly in gold, two crank design, one plain ratchet design, nine Breguet design with ratchet mechanism. (13). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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Four 19th century Dutch silver watch keys, all with some…
Dutch Silver Watch Keys with Filigree Decoration (4)

Four 19th century Dutch silver watch keys, all with some filigree decoration. (4). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of four gold 19th century Ratchet design watch…
Gold Ratchet Watch Keys (19th Century) - Collection of 4

A collection of four gold 19th century Ratchet design watch keys, (4). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of six 19th century watch keys, some gold, some…
19th Century Watch Key Collection from Dr. Hyde

A collection of six 19th century watch keys, some gold, some gold plated. (6). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of seven 19th century watch keys, some gold set…
19th Century Watch Key Collection with Precious Stones

A collection of seven 19th century watch keys, some gold set with hardstones, carnelian, bloodstone, others with semi previous stones, some gold plated. (7). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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Four 19th century watch keys, each with a swivel set with semi…
19th Century Watch Keys with Semi-Precious Stones (4)

Four 19th century watch keys, each with a swivel set with semi precious hard or gemstones. (4). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of five early 19th century Dutch silver watch keys,…
19th Century Dutch Silver Watch Keys (5)

A collection of five early 19th century Dutch silver watch keys, traditional design with foliate design borders. (5). Provenance: The collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney

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A collection of eleven novelty watch keys, in various designs…
Assorted Novelty Watch Keys Collection

A collection of eleven novelty watch keys, in various designs including a silver wrench, horses's hoofs, muskets, etc.

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Two novelty watch keys, one in the form of a leaping fox, the…
Animal-inspired Novelty Watch Keys

Two novelty watch keys, one in the form of a leaping fox, the other a bear on a branch with red stone eyes.

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A collection of five pinchbeck watch key fobs set with various…
Hardstone Watch Key Fob Collection, English 1800

A collection of five pinchbeck watch key fobs set with various Hardstones, English circa 1800.

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Two gold cannon watch keys, one stamped 15ct.
Pair of 15ct Gold Cannon Watch Keys

Two gold cannon watch keys, one stamped 15ct.

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Three gold plated early 19th century watch keys, with pressed…
Gold Plated 19th Century Watch Keys with Decoration

Three gold plated early 19th century watch keys, with pressed and pierced decoration.

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Three 18ct gold Brequet Ratchet watch keys, France, circa 1810.
1810 French Brequet Ratchet Watch Keys in 18ct Gold

Three 18ct gold Brequet Ratchet watch keys, France, circa 1810.

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Three 18ct Brequet Ratchet watch keys, France, circa 1810.
1810 French Brequet Ratchet Watch Keys (Set of 3)

Three 18ct Brequet Ratchet watch keys, France, circa 1810.

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A gold 19th century watch fob, with two 18th century gold watch…
Enamel-decorated 18th century gold watch keys with fob

A gold 19th century watch fob, with two 18th century gold watch keys decorated with enamel.

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Three Victorian watch keys and a propelling pencil, pencil set…
Victorian Watch Keys and Turquoise Pencil Set

Three Victorian watch keys and a propelling pencil, pencil set with turquoise. Two of the watch keys in the form of propelling pencils, one as a 'T' bar and set with facetted red stones.

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Four watch keys, two fox heads and two dog profiles, one with…
Assorted Vintage Watch Keys and Animal Profiles

Four watch keys, two fox heads and two dog profiles, one with ratchet movement.

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Four Victorian watch keys, two are combination watch key,…
Victorian Watch Keys with Hardstone Insets

Four Victorian watch keys, two are combination watch key, pencil and toothpick, all with hardstone insets.

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Two 19th century boar's head design watch keys, one with…
19th Century Boar's Head Watch Keys with Hardstone Inset

Two 19th century boar's head design watch keys, one with ratchet movement and hardstone inset.

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Three early 19th century watch keys, one with a hardstone cameo,…
19th Century Watch Keys with Miniature Artworks

Three early 19th century watch keys, one with a hardstone cameo, one with a mother of pearl landscape miniature, the other with a carnelian intaglio seal.

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Three 18th century watch keys, classical harp design.
18th Century Harp Watch Keys

Three 18th century watch keys, classical harp design.

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Five 19th century watch key fobs, two pinchbeck set with agate,…
19th Century Watch Key Fobs with Agate and Carnelian

Five 19th century watch key fobs, two pinchbeck set with agate, one pinchbeck set with carnelian, one pinchbeck set with agate on one side, a compass on the other, one 9ct yellow gold set with carnelian.

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Two Victorian watch keys includes a base metal swivel clasp and…
Victorian Watch Keys: Gold Clad & Base Metal Swivel Clasp

Two Victorian watch keys includes a base metal swivel clasp and a gold clad example

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A collection of four Dutch silver watch key fobs, with applied…
Dutch Silver Animal Watch Key Fobs Collection

A collection of four Dutch silver watch key fobs, with applied decoration of animals, dots and scrolls. Dutch 19th century.

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A collection of three watch key fobs, two with agate inset, the…
Antique Watch Key Fob Collection with Gemstones

A collection of three watch key fobs, two with agate inset, the other with carnelian. English circa 1830.

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Collection of three gold plated and carnelian watch key fobs,…
Gold Plated Carnelian Watch Key Fob Collection, 1800 England

Collection of three gold plated and carnelian watch key fobs, English circa 1800.

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Collection of four good Victorian watch keys, includes…
Victorian Watch Key Collection

Collection of four good Victorian watch keys, includes bloodstone, eagles head and other examples

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Collection of six good Victorian watch keys set with different…
Victorian Gemstone Watch Key Collection

Collection of six good Victorian watch keys set with different gemstones to include, turquoise, bloodstone, sard onyx.

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Collection of four good Victorian watch keys and a silver one.…
Victorian Watch Keys Collection with Eagle's Head

Collection of four good Victorian watch keys and a silver one. Includes bloodstone and agate set pieces as well as a figural eagles head.

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Two vintage fob watch keys
Vintage Fob Watch Keys Pair

Two vintage fob watch keys

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Two silver stone set watch keys, with a gold overlay copper…
Silver and Gold Watch Keys with Stone Settings

Two silver stone set watch keys, with a gold overlay copper watch key

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A collection of pocket watch keys, 13 single and a 6 spoke…
Assorted Pocket Watch Keys and Wagon Wheel Key

A collection of pocket watch keys, 13 single and a 6 spoke wagon wheel, various sizes

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Six antique watch keys
Vintage Watch Keys Collection

Six antique watch keys

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Three antique watch keys, including Canter Bro & Shepperton
Antique Watch Keys Set

Three antique watch keys, including Canter Bro & Shepperton

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