Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

DaveK · Oct 3, 2024

Could someone provide me with dimensions for a leather fob? I've been asked to make one, but I've never seen one in real life and don't know how they are built. A sketch would be really handy.

Side note, a fob is the correct term for the leather bit isn't it? Or is the medallion the fob and the leather bit is just called leather bits 😁

Canuck · Oct 3, 2024

Images of fobs easy to find. Usually a medallion that is carried outside the pocket, hanging from a leather strap attached to the watch. Get a fob caught on something as you walk by, pulling the watch out of your pocket, the watch hitting the floor! You won’t use a fob again! Ask me how I know.

Waltesefalcon · Oct 3, 2024

Dave, if you'll send it back, DM me and I'll mail you one I use for a key chain.

Bernhard J · Oct 4, 2024

I must admit, I never saw such leather fobs before participating in this forum. I have chains only, worn with a vest. Because I never wear a pocket watch in a trousers pocket.

TexOmega · Oct 4, 2024

Bernhard J
I must admit, I never saw such leather fobs before participating in this forum. I have chains only, worn with a vest. Because I never wear a pocket watch in a trousers pocket.

Gotta keep remembering that the US was 95%rural/agricultural till after WWII, and very isolated until the Transcontinental Railroad was built starting in the 1870's, and all the connecting lines spreading throughout the country bringing goods to the hinterland.

I've seen a fair many "chains" made with both human hair and horsehair. Leather was local, durable and cheap for the farmer/rancher/outlaw and workingman.

Levi Jeans have a watch pocket then and now.(at least some styles.)

Alpha · Oct 4, 2024

Been a while since I last posted but still enjoying my meagre Pocket watch collection and viewing those owned by other members 👍

noelekal · Oct 4, 2024

Yes, and the Levi jeans will (barely) accomodate an 18size pocket watch.

I'm already pumped about a pocket watch wearing opportunity next Wednesday. The Union Pacific 4014 "Big Boy" is coming through and is making a 30 minute scheduled stop in a town 15 miles south of us before rolling on into Fort Worth for three days.

Gotta wear a vintage railroad grade pocket watch down to pay a visit to the locomotive.

https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm

Edited to add this which I just found.

Pastorbottle · Oct 4, 2024

noelekal
Yes, and the Levi jeans will (barely) accomodate an 18size pocket watch.

I'm already pumped about a pocket watch wearing opportunity next Wednesday. The Union Pacific 4014 "Big Boy" is coming through and is making a 30 minute scheduled stop in a town 15 miles south of us before rolling on into Fort Worth for three days.

Gotta wear a vintage railroad grade pocket watch down to pay a visit to the locomotive.

https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm

Well hello Big Boy......My What a long engine you have!

Pastorbottle · Oct 4, 2024

My Wrangler jeans have a watch pocket as do my RM William Moleskins, my Thomas Cook moleskins also feature a watch pocket so I'm spoiled for choice

Waltesefalcon · Oct 5, 2024

@noelekal the watch pocket in Wranglers is still large enough to comfortably wear an 18s watch. It is one reason I made the switch to Wranglers a few years back, Levis kept making theirs smaller.

Waltesefalcon · Oct 5, 2024

noelekal
Yes, and the Levi jeans will (barely) accomodate an 18size pocket watch.

I'm already pumped about a pocket watch wearing opportunity next Wednesday. The Union Pacific 4014 "Big Boy" is coming through and is making a 30 minute scheduled stop in a town 15 miles south of us before rolling on into Fort Worth for three days.

Gotta wear a vintage railroad grade pocket watch down to pay a visit to the locomotive.

https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm

Edited to add this which I just found.

I'm jealous that you'll get to see it. I am three hours away from the closest it will come, and that will be a crossing, not a full stop. Take plenty of pictures, and maybe a video.

DaveK · Oct 5, 2024

DaveK
Could someone provide me with dimensions for a leather fob? I've been asked to make one, but I've never seen one in real life and don't know how they are built. A sketch would be really handy.

Side note, a fob is the correct term for the leather bit isn't it? Or is the medallion the fob and the leather bit is just called leather bits 😁

Problem solved and in the mail to me from @Waltesefalcon 😎. But don’t let that stop us, I’d love to see lots of pics of any leather fobs you have, especially some in action.

Canuck · Oct 5, 2024

There’s been talk lately as to whether an 18-size pocket watch will fit into the watch pocket of jeans. Some claim the watch pockets are too small! Well, some of you skinny guys who wear low rise “hipster” style jeans may have that problem. But today, I am wearing my jeans from Costco, and there is no problem as pictures will show. The watch is an 18-size, 17-jewel, 1883 model Waltham from circa 1905. It is a private label watch for jeweller and railroad watch inspector G W Beall of Lindsay, Ontario. The movement is marked
Canadian Railroad Time Service. By the time this one was produced, railroad time service rules generally mandated that a railroad standard watch had to be lever set, double roller, and the movement clearly marked with the usual features. Moreover, the dial HAD to be marked with the name of the manufacturer! This one is a single roller, stem set, movement devoid of engraving showing compulsory qualities, and the dial is not marked with the Waltham name. Generally, standards for railroad watches were adhered to completely by many railroads. But time service rules for some railroads could pick and choose the standards they adhered to. Notably the CPR. The watch is on my @Duracuir1 leather lanyard.

Waltesefalcon · Oct 5, 2024

DaveK
Problem solved and in the mail to me from @Waltesefalcon 😎. But don’t let that stop us, I’d love to see lots of pics of any leather fobs you have, especially some in action.

I have always associated these types of fobs with older guys who wear bib overalls. I recall seeing a few wear a watch this way as a kid, they would put their watch in the front pocket of the bib, with the fob hanging out. When they would check the time, they would just grab the fob, and pull the watch out. I have always worn my watches on a strap, because I wear jeans and it is easy enough to loop a strap around your belt. The only exception to this is I wear a half Albert chain when I wear a vest in the winter. I suppose a fob like this would also be handy if one were to wear their watch in a shirt pocket, or an upper pocket on a vest.

Waltesefalcon · Oct 5, 2024

I'll follow @Canuck 's lead. Here is my Hamilton 946 in my old Wranglers. It's hanging on the only strap I didn't make myself, an authentic Dave's leather lanyard.