The coin pocket, sometimes called a watch pocket, is the small rectangular pocket stitched inside or onto the right front pocket of most jeans. It is one of the oldest and most consistent design features across denim brands, appearing on almost every classic five pocket style regardless of fit or wash.
Historically, the pocket was sized to hold a pocket watch safely, protecting the glass face from scratches while the wearer worked, which is reflected in its snug, shallow shape. Today it is more commonly used for coins, a small key or a folded note, since pocket watches are rarely carried, but the pocket has remained a standard part of the five pocket jeans layout largely out of tradition.
Its small size means it is not practical for larger modern items such as phones, but it remains a recognisable detail that signals a classic, traditional construction rather than a stripped down or minimalist design. See our jeans history guide for more on how the five pocket layout developed, and yoke for another traditional construction feature.