Post YOUR Pocket Watch Chains/Fobs

[CZHACK]

I just picked up the following at an outdoor antique market mostly for the matching case and chain.

http://static.flickr.com/66/204622957_ce2f378f0e.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/74/204622959_ea59baffce.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/65/204622961_92cb109c14.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/73/204628046_5bc0a67be4.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/75/204622958_cc6c4311ba.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/75/204625929_7930553524_b.jpg

The watch and chain are silver, rose gold (chain links and hunter cover shield) and niello. The chain links are particularly interesting as each has been engraved and niello applied in what could only have been a very time consuming process. My quess on age is the roaring 20s.

Pocket watch chains and fobs were very important when our pocket watches were carried every day. They were often more visible than watches and often made a statement (political,hobbies/interests etc from fobs) by the owner (or practical as in signature seal fobs). I recently read about a practice where young women braided their hair and had jewelers attach silver clips for that special chain to future husbands.

Please share your photos and information on this overlooked element of pocket watches.

[pdaneu]

Hi,

Very nice Nielo watch. I think that is an Omega from 1910/20´s. It may be caliber 35.5 or 37.X.

Paulo

[Nachtmotte]

Hi Mike,
wow, what a nice work! Another piece from flewmarkets of Prague?
Paulo seems to be right with his estimation of an OMEGA movement.
I think I´ve to drive for one week to some cities in Hungary or Tchechoslowakia searching at flewmarkets. Unfurtunately I´ve just bought 3 different Le Phare movements for my collection and now I´m burned down for the complete August for my hobby....
Best regards
Tony

[CZHACK]

Paulo and Tony,

Thanks for the post on Omega. It was a surprise.

I hope you and others share photos of chains and fobs which could get interesting given the items that must have been collected by those on this forum.

Mike

[CZHACK]

Fantastic! Very elegant chains and I hope someone can comment on fobs background. What do you use to clean the silver chains - they look great.

[vein1]

I use only a polishing cloth, no chemicals.

[crsides]

CZHACK

Never seen a chain, fob, & watch matched up like that before. very interesting combo.


Thanks,

Charlie

[Jerry Treiman]

CZHACK - that is a beautiful combination. Not only is it very fine niello work but it is also in rare condition. It is truly a great find. Here is a lesser niello watch and chain that I have, but both are in worn condition.
http://static.flickr.com/96/209851149_8faec9d398_o.jpg
My watch case is an American case by Keystone.

[Jerry Treiman]

I had to search for a while to find a green and rose gold chain to match this watch.
http://static.flickr.com/94/209851151_d3cae68f33_o.jpg
Not only is the back of the watch made from alternating strips of green and rose gold, but the rest of the case alternates as well - green bow and crown, rose pendant, green case center, rose bezels.

[CZHACK]

Charlie,

Thanks. As you have noted Jerry followed with the same/similar combination. I hope the photo posts continue as I expect there are some very interesting chains,fobs etc.

Mike

[CZHACK]

Jerry,

Two great combinations - in particular the Keystone which I understand is quite rare (less than 2000 niello produced from an otherwise very large volume of cases produced). I have seen some very elegant and some very wild antique/vintage chains/fobs and look forward to subsequent posts. This past weekend at the outdoor market there was a silver chain with about 6 fobs (boar bristle with silver clasp, antler tip with silver clasp etc) from I assume an avid hunter.

Mike

[harold]

Here is An early Verge Fusee with original chain. Wilter London 1760-84
http://static.flickr.com/87/210177245_52d25772f5_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/97/210177247_443a8839a6_b.jpg

[harold]

Gabriel London. Freesprung movement with original chain. Both 18 kt gold.

http://static.flickr.com/98/210190237_39e1757b56_b.jpg

[CZHACK]

Harold,

Very nice combinations. The watches and chains would be special on their own but the effect is much more pronounced when togeather. Am I correct there are two keys and two seals on the first?

Mike

[harold]

Yes there are 2 seals and and 2 keys. The metal is very soft and the seals are not engraved. The other side of the square has an ox pictured and several of my friends thought that this watch belonged to a wealthy butcher or farmer.

[CZHACK]

Here are a few more silver chains and fobs. The first fob is a bavarian coin from 1771, the second an orthadox christian cross with Russian hallmarks, and third an amethyst.

http://static.flickr.com/67/165874873_7ce4d681dc.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/63/165874876_43de12e6e3.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/63/165874877_ddd4ed88c2.jpg

...........and my favorit. 14K gold chain with a hand carved cats eye fob in the shape of a scarab seal (beetle) and Egyptian hieroglphics on the reverse. Hallmarks are Austro-Hungarian in the late 1800s.

http://static.flickr.com/77/196938072_b6a5e7e556_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/69/196938074_57cf8b8a60_b.jpg

[harold]

Here is my grandfather's Langendorf silver watch with a Bavarian chain I bought in Frankfurt Germany in 1980.

http://static.flickr.com/97/211363544_0c895257b2_b.jpg

[CZHACK]

Harold,

What is the fob with white tips?

Mike

[harold]

Elk teeth. Many European hunters have the teeth mounted for their watch chain when they bag an Elk/Hirsch.

[Jeff Hess]

I guess it is kind of a fob.

Jeff Hess

And yes, this is one of Webb C. Balls personal watches from his collection...

http://static.flickr.com/64/211970618_2962c6bffc_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/70/211970619_82885d023d.jpg

[ron schneider]

no way is that little 12 tab a fob it is a loaner number from a watchmaker for watch repair

[terry hall]

And what a loaner tag it is... first class there.....

a first for me..

.

[Aussie]

My father gave me his grandfather's silver plated wolf's head that would have been attached to a fob watch chain. The head opens up to reveal very small wax matches.

If I could work out how to post pictures I would of posted that as well.

[ron schneider]

this is a known tag as a better earlier ball has the first one i ever saw years ago it reposes in a very famous early american collection

[CZHACK]

Aussie,

Follow the directions at the top of the clock forum and use flicker. Your fob sounds interesting.

Mike

[Jeff Hess]

this is a known tag as a better earlier ball has the first one i ever saw years ago it reposes in a very famous early american collection


Ron,

Yes Mr. Master of the Obvious. it is a loaner tag.
thanks for the lesson. s I said, it is "kind of a fob",

As your statement above.. what pray tell, does that collection of disparate and jumbled words mean??
Your bud,
Jeff :smile:

[CZHACK]

Where have all the pocket watch chains and fobs gone...............(as in the tune with "young men"). Give em up guys - share those chains and fobs!

Mike

[harold]

I just returned from Austria where I saw some beautiful clocks and watches with some very big prices. This watch chain I wanted to buy but the cost was as much as I paid for my airline ticket. I passed on it but took a picture to show. The animal fobs were solid silver and were marked for 1800 something.

http://static.flickr.com/93/243878231_1726a89d48_b.jpg

[Tom McIntyre]

By the way, most fobs with elk's teeth also BPOE on the mount. For Benevolent and Paternal Order of Elks. I think the name is now Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, but I recall it as Paternal when I was growing up. Does anyone know if the name was changed?

[mikeh]

Tom,

My father-in-law is an Elk of 40+ years, has served as state president as well as several other offices, and he's never heard of it. However, I did a quick search and turned up a reference to the 'paternal' version and the writer seemed to take it's history back to the same original organization, the Jolly Corks. The BPOE website does not mention it, at least as far as I can tell. It makes me wonder if it's not just a mistaken use of the word fraternal??? Maybe a deeper search would turn up more.

You didn't ask, but for what it's worth, the fob(s) you mention do have the BPOE emblem which includes a clock with the hands positioned at 11 o'clock. This relates to the 11 o'clock toast. When Elks are gathered an the hour reaches 11 p.m., they pause to toast their absent brothers.

[Richard L]

My Waltham Candian Beaver (CPR) and Whiskey Barrel
http://static.flickr.com/92/246049076_85dc50c1dc_m.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/82/246049099_07d58f8577_m.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/92/246049101_3197d2068a_m.jpg

[CZHACK]

Richard,

Nice watch/fob/combination. Get some of the California trend setters your way to start carrying again (pocket watches that is) and we could start wearing our collections in style.

Mike

[dagwra]

this is a photo of a watch that i inherited. its a 23 jeweled 60 hour bunn special with a gold filled case.
i don't know if the fob is gold filled or what.
http://static.flickr.com/118/254898378_405fdc6764.jpg

[harold]

Here is another one of my chains from my collection. The chain itself is 14 kt but the animal fobs are of a lesser kt. If you look at my Bavarian chain I had a mold made of the animals and I used some scrap gold to make the animal fobs.

http://static.flickr.com/103/312019767_cd7b8e8bfe_b.jpg

[Desmond Lundy]

This fob was, in a former life, my Canadian Army [horse soldier] beret badge from 1950's

[Zack Bortolot]

Hi Everyone,

This is a really great topic! Here is a picture of my great, great grandfather's watch and its fob and chain. The watch itself is quite modest- a 7 jewel Elgin 96. However, it was made in 1896, which is the same year my great, great grandfather came to the US from a small town in what was then Austria and is now Italy. Considering that he was never a rich man (he was illiterate and spent his life working at a hat factory) this must have been a very proud possession of his. Thanks for looking, and if anyone can tell me anything about the fob I would really appreciate it.

Zack

http://www.bortolot.com/watches/heirloom_elgin.jpg

[Ralph]

Here's some more fobs...

http://www.astro5.com/raf/el/ef/Photos/fob44.jpg
http://www.astro5.com/raf/el/ef/Photos/fob55.jpg

Ralph

[Ralph]

..and some Niello.

http://www.astro5.com/Temp/MB/niello0001a.jpg
http://www.astro5.com/Temp/MB/niello0003a.jpg

Ralph

[Dave Berghold]

WHat a great assortment of chains and fobs.....keep them coming. I am in the process of making my second silver chain and there's one show here that I'm borrowing a "twist" from. I'll post it in the near future (albeit my humble attempt at silver work).
The top one is a Brotherhood or RR Trainsmen and the bottom one I picked up in London about 25 years ago. It's the Order of the Garter on one side (dated 1887) and a compass on the other. It's a favorite. If you don't know about the Order of the Garter, it's an interesting story and worth the Google.

http://www.lastwindup.com/pix/chains.jpg

[Dave Berghold]

Well, I couldn't wait. Although this chain still needs a bit of cleaning up and polising to remove the scuffs (silver is tough to work with .... so soft), the basic design fell into place as I was hoping. It's a tad heavy and something that would befit a nice heavy 4-6 oz. case, but I'll still find a place to wear it now and again. It's not watchmaking, but a nice diversion from the usual repairs. Kinda gets the creative juices flowing.

http://www.lastwindup.com/pix/mychain.jpg

[CZHACK]

Ralph,

Nice case (niello or enamel?)- what does it cover?

Mike

[CZHACK]

Dave,

Wow - nice job!

How does the process work?

Mike

[CZHACK]

Another niello case/chain/fob combination:

http://static.flickr.com/102/302715894_ecc142eaf0.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/106/302715895_49a77fca9d.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/108/302715897_19c6dd2f85.jpg

[Jon Hanson]

one per page or multiples?

[CZHACK]

Jon

....not sure I understand your question/statement.

Mike

[Jon Hanson]

Scanning one or 12 per photo?

One per takes a lot of time but they are more visible.

[Ralph]

CZ,

It has an Elgin 15 J movement, unlikely to be original.

I always assumed it was Niello. I think it is a gunmetal case.

Ralph

[Jon Hanson]

beautiful ombination!<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Another niello case/chain/fob combination: </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[CZHACK]

Ralph - Interesting case with the detail and color contrast.
Mike

[rpnewman]

Here is An early Verge Fusee with original chain. Wilter London 1760-84
http://static.flickr.com/87/210177245_52d25772f5_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/97/210177247_443a8839a6_b.jpg

Harold, you have a very wonderful fob. I read once that a fashion was to have symmetry with the watch and it certainly appears that your large fob would look quite balanced with the watch.

[glr1109]

Hi, Greg here...from "the Clock sides" of the board. What a great thread! These watch/fobs/chains are beautiful!

greg

[PW Collector]

Photo Cube Fob and Chain
Chain is 14" long.
Markings on bar, clasp & chain are: HB&S, a Lion facing left (I believe a hallmark of England for Silver), and the letter D which I believe is the London Date Letter Mark for 1799.
The 4 photos in the cube I believe are:
Kaiser Wilhelm I
Friedrich III
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Son of Nikolaus II (not sure of this one)