Watch bands

[Hank Grimmick]

Good morning,

As I continue to learn on the restoration of old watches, I am moving back in time. I've worked on watches from the 40s to the 70s and am in the process of getting a couple of watches from the 20s to come back to life. In particular, I have an old Bulova (now cased, thanks to Cort) and an old cheap, but attractive 6 j Bedford that appear to be nearly ready for active duty once again.

My question has to do with watch bands. For my restoration projects so far, I've basically used croco bands, and an occasional lizard. Any suggestions as to the type of bands that were popular in the 20s. I am not fanatical about maintaining historical accuracy, but thought it might be fun to return them to near original look.

Thanks again to all who have helped this hopelessly addicted novice. If I put as much energy into my paying business as I do into this hobby, I could be a rich man!

Hank

p.s. Now that I "think" I have learned how to add photos, thought you might like to see the first vintage watch I ever received (ten years ago). What makes it especially important to me is that my father-in-law bought it on the day his daughter (my wife of 37 years) was born.

1940s Hamilton Norman (http://home.comcast.net/~grimmick/wsb/media/219734/site1003.JPG)

[Hank Grimmick]

Good morning,

As I continue to learn on the restoration of old watches, I am moving back in time. I've worked on watches from the 40s to the 70s and am in the process of getting a couple of watches from the 20s to come back to life. In particular, I have an old Bulova (now cased, thanks to Cort) and an old cheap, but attractive 6 j Bedford that appear to be nearly ready for active duty once again.

My question has to do with watch bands. For my restoration projects so far, I've basically used croco bands, and an occasional lizard. Any suggestions as to the type of bands that were popular in the 20s. I am not fanatical about maintaining historical accuracy, but thought it might be fun to return them to near original look.

Thanks again to all who have helped this hopelessly addicted novice. If I put as much energy into my paying business as I do into this hobby, I could be a rich man!

Hank

p.s. Now that I "think" I have learned how to add photos, thought you might like to see the first vintage watch I ever received (ten years ago). What makes it especially important to me is that my father-in-law bought it on the day his daughter (my wife of 37 years) was born.

1940s Hamilton Norman (http://home.comcast.net/~grimmick/wsb/media/219734/site1003.JPG)

[doug sinclair]

Hank,

I am unable to tell you just when the old style expansion bracelets came into the market. That is, the old "scissors" type. I'm generally happy with any of these older style bracelets on any of my vintage watches, WHEN these bracelets can be had. Otherwise, I think the best route is a leather strap. I simply will not fit a modern style, currently available "ladder" type expansion on a vintage watch.

Leather straps leave no marks on the inside of the lug. Metal ones, especially those with the "one-size-fits-all", spring-loaded bracelet end, DO leave marks inside the lugs. In the interest of originality, if the inside of the lugs show no marks, the watch likely has always had a strap on it. If there ARE signs it has had a metal bracelet, then the choice is yours.

By the way, nice looking Hamilton.

Doug S.

[terry hall]

How about 'sizes' of bands..

Have a small elgin wristwatch with solid soldered lugs on the case.. about 3/8 width...
like the looks of it because of the bold porcelain dial....

but need a band extra long...

sources?? have checked at marts with the 'band man' but no dice...

have an ugly expansion band on it now... just don't look right..

[doug sinclair]

Terry,

I'm not surprised that a 3/8" (narrow) strap would not be available from stock, in the length you likely need. You need a ladie's width in a long gent's length. You'll likely have to have one made. Take a look at this:

custom straps (http://www.watchnetwork.com/watchstraps/)

I have some other ideas as well, if this is not where you will get what you want. Please get back to us.

Doug S.

[terry hall]

Doug,

Thanks for the link.... not that I am 'cheap', but some of those straps are of more value than the watch.. ha ha...

I am willing to listen to other ideas of course... have heard of Hirsh 'fold overs' but have not been able to locate one.

Have also considered having a larger wire lug installed on case.. silveroid...

Like I said, not a valuable watch, but just has a 'look'..

thanks

[doug sinclair]

Terry,

You won't locate a Hirsch "foldover" in a store, to the best of my knowledge. In Canada, when the changeover to the "wrapped" end occurred some years ago, the agency in Canada (I am told), took all the foldover straps and replaced them with new goods. The agent in this area tells me that (in Canada), that inventory (or at least some of it) was retained by the agent. I'm 95% sure a strap for you doesn't exist in any such inventory, and a custom one would be necessary.

I have a 1915 Rolex with which I had a similar problem. That problem being that straps of that era were NOTHING like the straps in the market place today. I could send you a picture of the Rolex in question, and how I solved the problem, but I am told my images are too large and take too long to load, and I don't know (yet) how to size them down. If you'd like me to send it directly to you, I will. Let me know.

Doug S.

[Steve Maddox]

Terry,

The band you need for the wristwatch with the 3/8" wire lugs is what's called a "Kitchener style" band.

The following is a link to a site which offers historically accurate reproductions, and which shows an image of how a watch is supposed to look on such a band:

http://www.oldwristwatches.com/bands/

Obviously, a watch that's the size of a half-dollar isn't supposed to be worn on a strap that's only 3/8" wide! That's just the size of the part that secures the watch to the rest of the strap!

Unfortunately, the "Kitchener style" bands at the site above, while very nice I'm sure, are $60 each. Surely someone somewhere has bands of that type for much more reasonable prices!

Perhaps the person in the last message in the following thread can be of additional assistance:

old ref::http://nawcc-mb.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=2386079361&f=3566018461&m=6806038461&r=1906038461#1906038461

============

Steve Maddox
President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas

[doug sinclair]

Steve,

That is almost exactly the style of strap I have just finished describing to Terry in a private e-mail. Thanks for that. That is a site that any collector of antique watches should save for future reference. I have. A cheaper alternative is likely to be a poor compromise, in my view.

Doug

[terry hall]

Thanks for the links Doug and Steve... I will follow up on this...

I tried the search on the first link, but maybe with some more time will narrow it down..... and contact them.

Thanks again!!