The Bronze Pocket Watch in Tarkov: Where to Find It, What It’s Used For, and How to Profit

Unveiling the Bronze Pocket Watch

Escape From Tarkov, a hardcore and realistic first-person shooter, is renowned for its intricate item system. Among the vast array of weapons, armor, and consumables, lies a seemingly unassuming object: the Bronze Pocket Watch. This antique timepiece, often overlooked by novice players, plays a surprisingly crucial role in the Tarkov economy and progression. This article delves deep into the world of the Bronze Pocket Watch in Escape From Tarkov, exploring its locations, uses, value, and overall significance to the player experience.

The Bronze Pocket Watch, as its name suggests, is a vintage-style pocket watch crafted from bronze. Its appearance is generally described as aged and worn, hinting at a rich history that predates the events unfolding in Tarkov. This item occupies a single inventory slot and weighs very little, making it relatively easy to carry around. The exact in-game description, if any, is often vague, adding to the item’s mystique. Whether it is considered common, uncommon or rare amongst the wide array of items in Tarkov is a question for debate, one that this article will be addressing later.

When found “in raid,” this designation carries specific implications for its usability on the Flea Market and its role in quests, making it a highly sought-after commodity. This designation signifies that the item was obtained within a raid and hasn’t been brought into the raid by the player. Understanding this distinction is vital when dealing with any items needed for tasks.

Hunting Grounds: Where to Find the Bronze Pocket Watch

Finding the Bronze Pocket Watch in Escape From Tarkov can be challenging, as it doesn’t have a guaranteed spawn location. However, understanding the potential spawn zones and container types will greatly increase your chances of finding one. Here are the most common locations where players have reported finding the item:

• Customs: This industrial map is a hotbed for loot. Look for the Bronze Pocket Watch within jackets scattered throughout the dorms, inside drawers in the various buildings, and occasionally within safes. Don’t neglect checking the bodies of defeated Scavs, as they might be carrying one. Hidden stashes, both above and below ground, are also worthwhile to check.
• Shoreline: The resort on Shoreline is another prime location. Safes in the rooms, along with jackets and drawers, are your best bets. The cottages along the beach also contain various containers that may yield a Bronze Pocket Watch. Additionally, keep an eye out for ground spawns near the pier and the crashed helicopter.
• Woods: While seemingly more barren than other maps, Woods does offer some opportunities. Check the USEC camp, the Scav village, and the various cabins scattered throughout the forest. Jackets and drawers are your main targets here. Hidden stashes are also abundant on Woods and can be a good source of various items.
• Reserve: This military base is teeming with loot but also heavily contested. Safes within the underground bunkers, along with jackets and drawers in the barracks, are potential spawn points. Be prepared for intense firefights while looting on Reserve.
• Interchange: The massive mall that is Interchange is known for its electronic items, but the bronze pocket watch can also be found inside. Safes inside the Goshan and Oli stores are good spots, as are the jackets and drawers inside the many office spaces.
• Lighthouse: This newer map is rife with loot, however most of it is concentrated in contested areas, so be prepared to fight. Jackets and drawers inside the chalets are a good place to look for the Bronze Pocket Watch.

Scavs and Boss Encounters

Scavs can occasionally spawn with the Bronze Pocket Watch in their inventory, particularly on maps like Customs, Woods, and Shoreline. Eliminating Scavs and looting their bodies is a viable way to acquire one. While it’s less common, bosses and raiders may sometimes carry the Bronze Pocket Watch. Defeating these high-tier enemies is risky but potentially rewarding.

Increasing Your Chances

To maximize your chances of finding the Bronze Pocket Watch, consider the following tips:

• Route Efficiency: Plan your looting routes to prioritize areas with a high concentration of jackets, drawers, and safes.
• Thorough Searching: Don’t just glance inside containers; thoroughly examine each one, as the Bronze Pocket Watch can sometimes be difficult to spot.
• Scav Runs: Utilize Scav runs to quickly loot areas without risking your PMC’s gear.
• Early Wipe Advantage: Early in a wipe (when the game resets), the demand for quest items is high, and prices on the Flea Market are inflated. This can be a lucrative time to find and sell Bronze Pocket Watches.

Questing with Time: The Bronze Pocket Watch’s Purpose

The Bronze Pocket Watch isn’t just a shiny collectible; it’s a crucial item for completing several quests offered by various traders in Escape From Tarkov. Completing these quests is essential for leveling up your trader reputation, unlocking new items, and progressing through the game.

Skier, one of the earliest traders, asks for several Bronze Pocket Watches for his tasks. Turning in the watches unlocks new tiers of items within his store. Jaeger, the hunter trader, also requires a certain number of bronze pocket watches for his tasks as well, making this seemingly insignificant item a staple in a player’s inventory. The tasks that require this item also provide an increase in reputation, allowing you to have access to better items from the traders.

The rewards for completing these quests are significant. You’ll gain experience points, increase your reputation with the relevant trader, and unlock new items for purchase. These rewards are essential for progressing through the game and gearing up your character.

Market Value: Trading and Profiting

The Flea Market is where the true value of the Bronze Pocket Watch is realized. Its price fluctuates based on several factors, including the time of the wipe, the demand from players completing quests, and any in-game events that may affect its availability.

Early in a wipe, the price of the Bronze Pocket Watch can skyrocket due to high demand and limited supply. As the wipe progresses, the price typically stabilizes, but it can still be a valuable source of income. The price will usually go down as people level up the traders that need these items.

Trading with NPCs is not a worthwhile investment as their prices are often less than half of the Flea Market Price.

Deciding whether to keep a Bronze Pocket Watch for quests or sell it on the Flea Market is a common dilemma. If you’re actively working on a quest that requires it, keeping it is generally the best option. However, if you’re not currently pursuing that quest, selling it on the Flea Market can provide a quick and easy profit.

It’s crucial to avoid engaging in real money trading (RMT) for the Bronze Pocket Watch or any other item in Escape From Tarkov. RMT is against the game’s terms of service and can result in a ban.

Rarity: A Matter of Perspective

The perceived rarity of the Bronze Pocket Watch is a topic of debate among Tarkov players. While it’s not as rare as some of the ultra-high-end items, it’s also not as common as basic consumables. Its value is driven primarily by quest demand rather than its inherent scarcity.

Anecdotal evidence from players suggests that the spawn rates of the Bronze Pocket Watch can vary depending on the map, container type, and time of the wipe. Some players report finding them frequently, while others struggle to locate even a single one.

Compared to other “rare” items in Tarkov, such as the LedX or the GPU, the Bronze Pocket Watch is undoubtedly more common. However, its essential role in quests makes it a valuable and sought-after commodity regardless.

A Collector’s Item?

While primarily used for quests and profit, the Bronze Pocket Watch also has a certain appeal to collectors. Some players enjoy hoarding rare or unusual items, and the Bronze Pocket Watch fits the bill. There may be in-game or out-of-game communities dedicated to collecting various items in Escape From Tarkov. For example, the “Tarkov flea market” subreddit is full of people requesting and buying items, even if not found in raid.

Additional Strategies

Consider using keys that unlock rooms with a high density of jackets and drawers, such as those found on Customs and Shoreline.

Listen for the distinct sound of opening containers. This can help you identify areas where other players are looting and potentially find unclaimed Bronze Pocket Watches.

Keep an eye on the in-game chat for players selling or trading Bronze Pocket Watches.

Conclusion

The Bronze Pocket Watch is a prime example of how seemingly insignificant items can play a crucial role in the complex world of Escape From Tarkov. It’s a testament to how deep the game and its systems are. From its strategic placement across different maps to its integral role in quest progression and its fluctuating value on the Flea Market, the Bronze Pocket Watch is more than just a vintage timepiece. Understanding its spawn locations, quest requirements, and market dynamics is essential for success in Tarkov. So, the next time you’re looting in Tarkov, don’t overlook this unassuming item. It could be the key to unlocking new quests, leveling up your traders, and ultimately, escaping from Tarkov.

What are your experiences with finding the Bronze Pocket Watch in Escape From Tarkov? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below! Happy raiding!