Harley-Davidson Pocket Watch

Harley-Davidson watches occupy a unique crossover niche between horology and motorcycle memorabilia. They are collected by two distinct audiences who rarely overlap: watch enthusiasts drawn to the mechanical interest and quality of certain pieces, and Harley memorabilia collectors for whom a watch is just another expression of the brand. The result is a diverse market ranging from serious limited editions by Bulova to mass-produced Franklin Mint gift pieces — and the collector needs to know which is which.

The South Bend Connection — 1920s Originals

The earliest genuine crossover between Harley-Davidson and pocket watches dates to 1920, when the South Bend Watch Company — then one of America's leading producers of high-grade railroad movements — produced a limited quantity of pocket watches bearing the Harley-Davidson name and logo on the dial and movement. These were not mass-market gifts but working quality timepieces: South Bend movements from this era featured 19 jewels and bridge designs typical of the company's high-grade output, adjusted to multiple positions.

The dials of surviving examples show hand-painted lettering and the Harley-Davidson eagle logo alongside the South Bend brand name. The numerals and hands were period-original, and the movement has been described as carrying a beautiful bridge design consistent with South Bend's reputation for fine finishing. These are genuinely rare — they were not a large commercial programme, and surviving examples in good condition are museum-quality objects.

If you encounter a pocket watch described as a "genuine antique Harley-Davidson" from the early 20th century, treat it with serious scepticism. Authentic pre-war pieces are extremely rare; the overwhelming majority of "antique Harley" watches on the market are 1990s–2000s commercial pieces.

Franklin Mint Series (1990s–2000s)

The Franklin Mint — established in 1964 and best known for die-cast models, commemorative coins and collector plates — produced an extensive series of Harley-Davidson pocket watches from the early 1990s through the mid-2000s. These are by far the most commonly encountered "Harley pocket watches" and account for perhaps 90% of the market by volume.

Franklin Mint Harley watches used quartz movements in chrome-plated aluminium or brass cases with spring-action lids. Each model was themed around a specific Harley motorcycle — the Heritage Softail, Fat Boy, Road King, Electra Glide, Wide Glide, Low Rider, Sportster, and others — with the dial fashioned to evoke the relevant bike's speedometer or decorated with imagery from it. An image of the motorcycle was typically etched inside the lid. Cases came with a display stand featuring the Harley-Davidson eagle and, usually, a black leather pouch and silver-plated chain.

The series covered an extraordinary range of Harley models and eras: the 1903 Single, 1944 WLA military bike, XLCR, Duo Glide, 95th Anniversary Springer, Panhead, Knucklehead, Billy Bike and Captain America versions, and many more. Some sets were sold as boxed collections of multiple watches. Complete sets of 16 in original boxes have sold on eBay for $900–$1,250; individual pieces in original packaging typically bring $30–$75.

Franklin Mint values and collectibility

Franklin Mint pieces were produced in large quantities and were widely sold through television shopping channels and mail order at original retail prices of $50–$150. They were not made in genuinely limited editions in the collector's sense of the term. As a result, they have not appreciated significantly and most examples sell for well below their original retail price.

The exceptions are: complete, unopened boxed sets in pristine condition; the earliest production runs; and any variant that has since been identified as having had a shorter production run than average. The WLA military bike and early 1900s single-cylinder examples tend to command slight premiums among Harley enthusiasts. The overall market remains soft, with genuine appreciation unlikely in the short term given the large number still in circulation.

As a gift item for a Harley enthusiast, a Franklin Mint pocket watch remains perfectly appropriate — they are well-made as decorator pieces and the themed designs are genuinely handsome. As a watch investment, they are not compelling.

Bulova 100th Anniversary Edition (2003)

The most significant Harley-Davidson pocket watch from a horological standpoint is the Bulova 100th Anniversary limited edition, produced in 2003 to mark Harley-Davidson's centenary. This is a meaningfully different object from the Franklin Mint range.

The Bulova 100th Anniversary pocket watch was produced in a strictly limited run of 2,003 pieces — each individually numbered — and features a 17-jewel mechanical movement, visible through the dial, made in Switzerland by Bulova. The case is solid stainless steel with a mother-of-pearl dial ring and a seconds subdial. The lid covers both top and bottom. A 15-inch chain is included. The movement visible through the dial was a significant selling point for watch collectors — the Franklin Mint range used concealed quartz movements, so this was a clear step up in horological seriousness.

Retail price at launch was significant — comparable to a mid-range dress watch — and the piece was sold through Harley-Davidson dealers rather than mass-market channels. Examples in unworn condition with original box and paperwork can reach $400–$600; worn examples or those without box sell for $200–$350. The numbered certificate of authenticity matters to buyers; pieces without it lose value.

Other Licensed Producers

Values

Type	Condition	Typical range
South Bend c.1920 (genuine antique)	Any	$800–$2,500+ (extremely rare)
Bulova 100th Anniversary (2003)	Mint, numbered, boxed	$400–$600
Bulova 100th Anniversary (2003)	Good, no box	$200–$350
Franklin Mint — single watch	Mint in box	$40–$80
Franklin Mint — single watch	Used, no box	$15–$35
Franklin Mint — complete set of 16	All mint in box	$900–$1,250
1987 gold commemorative	Good	$200–$265
Fossil licensed edition	Working, any	$30–$80

Buying Guide

• Determine which category you are buying in: genuine antique South Bend (extremely rare), quality limited edition (Bulova), or commercial collectible (Franklin Mint). Price and expectations differ radically between these.
• For Franklin Mint pieces, always ask for photographs of the original box and stand. The presentation packaging is what gives these pieces much of their collector appeal — a Franklin Mint watch without its box is worth half the price.
• For the Bulova 100th Anniversary, confirm the edition number on the case matches the certificate of authenticity. Check that the movement is visible through the dial as described — this distinguishes it from cheaper licensed pieces.
• For any piece described as a "genuine 1920s antique," ask for a close-up photograph of the movement. A genuine South Bend 19-jewel movement has a distinctive bridge layout and finishing. If the seller cannot provide this photograph, the piece is almost certainly not what it is claimed to be.
• Search completed eBay listings before bidding on any Harley watch. The market is well-supplied and prices are easy to verify. Sellers who price above recent comparable sales are generally not finding buyers.
• If buying a Franklin Mint or similar piece as a gift, this is a perfectly appropriate choice at $40–$80 for a mint-boxed example. As a purely horological object, the same budget is better spent on a genuine antique American pocket watch.

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