Pocket Watch Question

[draws]

Here is my watch chain setup. 1897 Hampden GF watch and double albert, moose pendant and local town commemorative coin.

 

[Shangas]

I've had this issue, i try to wear a vest with my suits so i can just slip it into it, but since many of my suits either won't match my vests or i'm not in the mood for the three piece, i usually use the pants pocket. Some of my suits have a pocket on the belt loop which works great, but most unfortunately do not. Another method is putting them through the lapel and putting them in the front chest pocket as mentioned earlier, i did that but i like wearing lapel pins most of the time so that method is out the door. Also, if i'm not in the mood to risk a good suit or a good watch, i use the cheaper watches i own that have those cheap modern chains that sort of have to hook to your pants. I don't know what the word is for them, but they don't have the bar.

My peacoat had side pockets so sometimes i wore it from the center button hole to the side pocket. I've done the shirt thing too, but i find that on most dress shirts unless they've got a button on the pocket, the watch and chain makes the pocket sag. on harder material though, this method works fine.

Hey Maguire,

Those modern chains with those funny clips on the end are called belt-hook chains. I can't stand them. I wish I could get a proper ring-clip chain instead. One of these:

But until then, my Albert works fine.

 

[draws]

Hey Maguire,

Those modern chains with those funny clips on the end are called belt-hook chains. I can't stand them. I wish I could get a proper ring-clip chain instead. One of these:

But until then, my Albert works fine.

I would have to agree with you there, Shangas. Unfortunately, I have found that the ring clip connectors just don't seem to be formidable or robust enough to handle the size/weight of the watch. I do wish it were otherwise. If I had a preference, it would be a belt hook for the watch end and the ring clip for the other. That might work just as well.

 

[JimWagner]

Interesting solution,JW. I wonder if you could use a clip like the one at the end of the chain. I suppose it would be more secure but less convenient.

Interesting idea, Tomasso. Worth an experiment, surely.

On that clip on the pictured chain the chain connects to a loop on the clip via the chain link directly. I'd replace that link with a slightly larger ring and then add a small section of chain ending in the watch clip. The clip (the original one on the chain) would need to be opened up a little to slip over the thickness of the pocket. It's designed to fit snugly on the pants' waistband.

The only possible problem I imagine without actually doing the experiment is that with the chain terminating inside the pocket it would easily slide into the pocket. Not a problem esthetically I guess, but extra chain in the pocket would make noise against the watch. The arrangement I have has that problem if I tuck the chain into my pocket.

Attaching each chain section to opposite ends of the waistband clip would solve that, though.

Definitely food for thought. Thanks.

 

[JimWagner]

Interesting solution,JW. I wonder if you could use a clip like the one at the end of the chain. I suppose it would be more secure but less convenient.

Here's your solution prototyped.

Just parts from a couple of really cheap watch chains for this prototype. All I did was remove the waistband clip and linking ring from one chain and put right on the exact same place the target chain clipped to the watch clip. Opened up the clip above the arrow and then squeezed it back down on the pocket to get it snug but not too tight.

Seems to work just fine. Good idea there Tomasso and very quick to put together. Now to wear it for a few days to see if I like it better than my original solution.

 

[Shangas]

Hey Jim, that's a pretty cool solution. Let us know how practical it is.

 

[SGT Rocket]

Thats my chain

Hey Maguire,

Those modern chains with those funny clips on the end are called belt-hook chains. I can't stand them. I wish I could get a proper ring-clip chain instead. One of these:

But until then, my Albert works fine.

Yep, that's my chain. Except my chain is silver. I may end up placing two chains together too. Hmmmm.

I plan on purchasing a few cardigans with pockets (once I'm working again) and getting a few pocket watch pockets sewed into my various pairs of khakis.

I also like what JW has done with his watch chain. I may see what I have around the house to rig something up!

 

[JimWagner]

I have a few watch chains with swivel lobster claws on the belt end similar to this (a keychain from Ace Hardware).

The are heavy duty enough and hook to a belt loop and very secure. But they are more suitable to a biker wallet than a dress watch chain to my eyes. OK for jeans, but not really for a suit.

I do prefer the belt loop (for dress clothing) because I can place it over the waistband and behind my belt. It's almost invisible there.

That said, I'll go with the Double Albert or Single Albert most of the time with a vest.

 

[Methuselah]

If I had a preference, it would be a belt hook for the watch end and the ring clip for the other.

fftopic:

I don't wear mine on a belt, but if I did I'd use a sister hook for the belt end.
I haven't had much success with a Google search for what I mean (much smut ensued - 'hooking up' with sisters etc)

I have an article at work about making them, but that picture gives the general idea.

 

[Feraud]

^Are they also called scissor hooks?

 

[Methuselah]

^Are they also called scissor hooks?

Apparently so, or at least they are in the sailing world according to another Google search. Thanks for the tip.

I like the bobble / dimple on the previous image to make it even more secure.
An easier way to make it all stay in place if you're making one at home is to make the rivet nice and tight!

 

[JimWagner]

After wearing the prototype on the right today I'd say that it works ok. But it is just a little harder to put the watch back in my pocket and catch the hook without messing around with it some.

The first option (on the left) I can put back in my pocket without fumbling around. It is also less visible. Both are pretty secure and it boils down to personal preference and parts you have on hand or can make.

For those not liking belt hooks, again a matter of preference, you might try hooking it over the waist band behind the belt instead of on the belt (as the name "belt hook" suggests). That's where I wear it.

The bottom line is that both of the options pictured address the issue of not having a watch pocket on your trousers quite well.

 

[Maguire]

Right that is the kind of hook i was referring to. You can't find new chains that don't have it, unfortunately, but you can put the watch on an old one. If you are putting a watch on workpants though, they are great.. and any watch you get that comes with those probably isn't too dear in price that it needs too much care in work environments.

 

[Feraud]

Jim W, that Hamilton is too nice a pocketwatch to trust with the current clip. It seems too easy for the clip at the top to slide off the pant. Have you ever experienced this?

You can find something more secure and affordable on ebay if needed.

 

[Methuselah]

A prettier option

Those things look like paper clips to me (not a good thing)

As mentioned, I still prefer the sister hooks, here's a better photo of what I mean:

 

[JimWagner]

Jim W, that Hamilton is too nice a pocketwatch to trust with the current clip. It seems too easy for the clip at the top to slide off the pant. Have you ever experienced this?


You can find something more secure and affordable on ebay if needed.

Oh, I have other chains. This one was just for the discussion about not having a watch pocket and to prototype a solution. But to answer your question, I haven't had any problems with it slipping off my trousers. I attribute that to being behind my belt and I'm pretty careful to keep the clip pinched down very tight.

There is no doubt that hooking it to a belt loop with a different type chain is more secure though. And usually I do use a better chain.

What I'd really like to find is a supplier of watch chain parts so I can design and put together a better chain than you can typically find today.

 

[Feraud]

Good to read the watch is secure JW.

Years back I attempted making my own chain but found the findings were insufficient compared to photos of vintage ones.
After I purchased my first chain (see below) at a flea market I never looked back.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/feraud/Jewelry/DSC03732.jpg

A Google search for parts might yield some good results.

 

[JimWagner]

Good to read the watch is secure JW.

Years back I attempted making my own chain but found the findings were insufficient compared to photos of vintage ones.
After I purchased my first chain (see below) at a flea market I never looked back.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/feraud/Jewelry/DSC03732.jpg

A Google search for parts might yield some good results.

Nice chain. I like it.

I have spent literally hours googling for the proper findings. Just haven't found any, yet. Discovered all kinds of other finding I didn't know about though.

 

[Tomasso]

High quality findings are not available at retail; you gotta be in the biz and you gotta buy quantity.

 

[Feraud]

The last time I browsed for findings (it's been a few years) I only noticed mediocre material.
Are quality finding still being produced? If so, are they used for watch chains? I've not noticed quality new made watch chains. Even a site that sells expensive pocket watches appears to carry cheap chains.
There doesn't seem to be a market for good pocket watch chains.