chippyfly
676
Pocket watch man
Being a little crazy here! Many years ago a dear friend's parents, all of whom sadly died long ago gave me a small bundle old copies of The National Geographic Magazine dating from the 1920's. Because of the dates, they must have been inherited originally by those parents. The magazines are fascinating reads, not least all the old advertisements. I share one from July 1928 by Hamilton.
The stand out point from Hamilton was the idea of owning a wristwatch in addition to the pocket watch you were assumed to have been wearing. When I started school aged 5 in late 1940's, most of my fellow pupils who actually possessed a watch wore a pocket watch in a jacket's front pocket, suspended from the lapel.
A while ago my sister-in-law gave me a couple of old silver pocket watches she had bought at a flea-market. Both watches were black with tarnish and neither worked. I took them apart, cleaned the cases and movements and got them working. The oldest is key-wind and hand setting and it has a bent pivot at the balance arbour and the signed enamel dial needs two new hands. Therefore it is really beyond economical repair. It works for a very short while and stops.
The second pocket watch works well and keeps good time for its age. It is keyless wind with finger nail time setting. The silver hallmarks date the case to 1885 with an unknown manufacturer and the gilt-finished movement is unsigned. Power reserve is only about 25 hours.
As an experiment of Hamilton's suggestion, I bought a leather Albert. I usually wear a jacket most days, so I have now pinned the pocket watch to my lapel while wearing one of my usual wristwatches. I want to see the practicality of the pocket watch in 2024! Only once so far have I glanced at the pocket watch for the time while my left hand was fully occupied carrying stuff. Of course we all carry a pocket watch in the form of a mobile 'phone so really a pocket watch maybe a little more convenient. Arguably better looking too!
Below I share the July 1928 advertisement plus the difficult-to-take photo of both watches I am simultaneously wearing for a short while. The recently bought Nomos Orion Rose now sports its new Shell Cordovan strap, replacing the original black.
Craziness from Clive
Pocket watch man
yes, the “when to wear it” challenge
Very emotional
A surprise and eye opener
