Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,347
Name: Roger
Since: Mar 14, 2011 13:09:50 GMT -6
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Post by Baco Noir on Jan 31, 2014 19:18:54 GMT -6
I have been looking through eBay for a chain for this one. Most have the T bar and I have no way of securing that and would rather have two sprung loaded claps each end of the chain. Even steel watch chains are expensive so I had an idea and started looking for Sterling chains in the jewellery section. Went to the vintage par and low and behold there was a fellow in Ontario selling two .925 Chains, the same length and width as the one on my Westbury which I have seconded into use for the Omega even though it is gold plated. The dimensions look right on the Omega so these two were perfect! Just $20 for the pair. I think I will use the flat one, it looks like it will be a better match for the case. I need a ring clasp though for the other end of the chain. Luckily there is a craft store near me. I gave them a call and a clasp in .925 is the grand price of $1.75! What do you think? I reckon the flat one will look great with this lovely pocket watch! Great idea! For a pocket watch, I'd be more inclined towards the rope chain so it doesn't get kinked. My experience with the flat ones is that it can happen fairly easily.
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Post by ianmedium on Jan 31, 2014 19:33:24 GMT -6
I agree. I love old jewellery. Old gold has such a beautiful colour compared to the new stuff I feel. My only heirloom is a wedding ring. My Grandfather panned for the gold in the streams of the Welsh Mountains. It was then turned into a plain gold band for my Grandmother. The engraving is still sharp and reads MJBD 5/5/1915 The letters stand for my Grandmothers full names. I never got to meet my Grandparents, they both died in India (my Grandfather was a colonel in the Indian Army) but I never saw it off my Mums wedding finger till the day she died. She had lots of beautiful jewellery that quite rightly went to my sister when mum passed but I got the ring. I wear it on my pinky finger at all times. Again, its the history, wether my families or someone else's I am fascinated by it.
Actually, writing that it just struck me! This watch was made not a year after my Grandparents were married!
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Post by rw16610 on Jan 31, 2014 19:38:29 GMT -6
Wow, just when I thought it could not get any better! Having an item that was made or purchased the same year as something significant to you means A LOT. How cool is that? Now you can carry this watch on that rope chain (I agree with Roger, I had issues with other styles before too and it's why I want rope chains now).
Each glance will remind you of your family history. The fact that he got the gold himself and had it made into that ring is something extraordinary in the best of ways. You'll have zero regrets about investing in the chain and clasp to secure it.
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 1, 2014 14:48:19 GMT -6
Rope chain it is then! I will be sure to post pictures once I have put it all together. You know, our talking about history got me to looking at getting something actually from 1915 to go along with the ring. I think I may have found a Trench watch that will fit the bill!( and no, thats not the incoming!
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 1, 2014 20:02:18 GMT -6
Awesome! For some reasons, rope chains that are not insanely over sized like 1990's hip hop stars have a very classy look compared to some of the other, more common link patterns in my opinion. A guy locally is selling a 14k, 24" rope chain and emailed me back. I may consider it once I take it to a place with him to have it tested.
Anyway, history is incredible! It gives us answers to so many of the questions we may have today. In high school, it was only mandatory in the 10th grade but I loved learning about the 1st and 2nd, great world war, great depression etc so much that I took history in the 11th and 12th grade as electives to focus more on Europe.
A watch to go along with that ring is the best idea I've heard all day! Something to compliment the historically significant ring you own will be perfect. Any pictures of similar watches you could post to give me a better idea of how they look etc?
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Post by carl on Feb 2, 2014 15:57:33 GMT -6
Well, I got to see the lovely Omega pocket watch today. Now, there is a raal pocket watch. The whole watch is stunning. The movement is immaculate, beautifully decorated, and the ticking sound emanating from it is warming and solidly loud. Hard to believe that the blued hands are as old as there are.
The silver case is beautiful and the brass crown suits it so well. It's amazing! The watch is absolutely ready to go as is! A cleaning and service of the movement might soon be a good idea, though.
Having the '63 Seamaster vintage, which I love, I can so appreciate Ian's attachment to this pocket watch. Irreplaceable! It really is a thing of beauty, and has to be seen to be believed. Apparently the markers and arabics are blasted on to the enamel somehow, and they have stood the test of time beautifully.
What more can I say! It was a thrill to hold it in my hand.
Cheers, Carl
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 2, 2014 21:38:24 GMT -6
The perfect example of how the quality remains long after the price is forgotten. Considering how long ago this was made, it never fails to amaze me what these watch makers achieved so long ago.
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 2, 2014 21:55:42 GMT -6
Thanks again Rommel. It astonishes me how they did it. With that have you seen this wonderful German fellow on youtube? Steffen Pehlow
I will link to a video he does on making a case for a very old (early 19th century) Breguet pocket watch movement he won at auction. He does another comprehensive series on building a case for a pocket watch he makes but this one shows how he goes to great detail in making the case as close as possible to what Breguet would have put the movement in. All hand work assisted by old machines, not a computer in site! It is fascinating and in other videos he builds a tourbillion and case for his own pocket watch!
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 3, 2014 0:24:57 GMT -6
Thanks for sharing that video, Ian It was certainly worth the time to watch it. Something about the sound of that movement going seems to get me relaxed. He is quite talented and it represents such a significant part of history. Owning a pocket watch just for the sake of having one would be neat.
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 4, 2014 15:39:11 GMT -6
Hey, I think my Omega had a parachrome blue hairspring almost a century before Rolex And one more of the dial!
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 4, 2014 22:17:39 GMT -6
That's amazing Those old pocket watch movements were such works of art.
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 5, 2014 11:06:19 GMT -6
One thing for sure, it does not like cold weather. Several nights I have woken to have found it stopped. I sleep with my window open even as it is now in sub zero temps. I put it in the bathroom cabinet overnight as it is always warm in there having underfloor heating. Problem solved, it was ticking away and keeping excellent time!
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 5, 2014 17:04:21 GMT -6
The watch sounds a lot like me! The cold weather seems to do something similar. It's not hard to forgive such a lovely pocket watch though! You found an excellent solution and in a few months this won't be a problem for us for a while.
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 8, 2014 16:41:04 GMT -6
So here are my two DIY pocket watch chains! I purchased these two Italian Sterling Silver chains from eBay for $20 then went today to my local jewellery supplies store and got two Sterling clasps and two Sterling jump rings to attach the clasps to the chains. I got nice sturdy clasps and rings just to be on the safe side. So for $26 all in I have two lovely chains for my pocket watches! I could have gone for the proper thing but I don't wear jackets with button holes so the T bar end is useless for me. This way I use the original lobster claw clasps on the chain to attach to my inside jacker pocket or trouser pocket. The other end has a large enough loop to go through the loop on the pocket watch. Here are a couple of shots of the finished result with the Omega. I actually think the flat chain will go really well with the Sterling fusee winging its way to me! A close-up of the double looped clasps, nice and sturdy. I am not intending to swing my pocket watches about. In truth the handiest thing about the chain is it makes it easier to pull out of my pocket so these should do the job admirably! Just to be extra safe when I closed the jump rings up I put a drop of super glue on the joint to add strength. Its not necessary but what is the old saying, "An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure!
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 8, 2014 16:47:45 GMT -6
Well done, Ian! Everything fell into place rather nicely. Now once the other one arrives the chain is all set and ready for it. You should have no issues with this setup.
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