The 'MAD' Horologist and the'Holy Grail'

[GLADIATOR]

Yes I must be going mad in my quest in Horology searching for that 'holy grail'

If I had shown my latest purchase to my Father he would have asked incredulously "but where is the watch?" my Dear Mother would then have exclaimed "To hell with the watch, where is the strap?"

Yet here I go and buy - not a watch, not a strap, but the 'mere' buckle in my search for that 'holy grail' which is 'Who and When was the first wristwatch made?'

Well the meager buckle throws another light on that subject.  How because being silver it is assayed with a London mark of 1908.  That is MIGHTY early, and by the width - it would appear a mans wristwatch strap from 1908.

So we have an original Sterling Silver English Gents buckle for an early wrist watch strap.  The hallmark is clearly London and looks to be 1908 best guess and is "..&Ss" maker?? The way its been hallmarked the makers mark is partially obscured and the date stamp too.

17mm total width and would take a 14mm leather strap, so its a large gents size for this period!

Now, well now, I must find a strap maker to turn the perfect silver buckle into something magnificent

Regards

[iceman]

Bet that buckle has some stories to tell. Look forward to seeing the strap you get made

[Nicko]

Way cool, but where's the watch? LOL

[GLADIATOR]

nicko
True
Oh its an important part - just only it a 5% important part
Was I mad to buy it? Who knows. No more mad than my conquest that holy grail

[pawnshopkiller]

If you already had the watch and the strap that would be a very important part!!!!

Just depends on how you look at it!!

Great buckle.

[aerome]

Great find! I think that if you can piece the machine together, then do it.

[GLADIATOR]

agreed to all.