What hooks do you use to display pocket watches?

DaveK · Oct 21, 2019

Hi all, I am 98% finished in making a display case for some pocket watches. The case will hang in the wall, the watches will hang inside the case.

But, in the words of Homer Simpson, Doh! I just realized that the cup hooks I am using are fine for watches size 16 and up, but for size 12, the space inside the bow is too small to fit over the hooks. I live on the west coast of BC, so with earth quakes and all, these safety cup hooks seemed smart, until...well...

I don’t want to hang the watches from chains because the look if the case is more tight and tidy. Picture hooks would fit, but they don’t look very nice.

Any ideas? Is there a specialty shop for this kind of thing? @Fritz @Canuck ?

The hook

This works 👍

This doesn’t 🙁

Thank you in advance

wagudc · Oct 21, 2019

DaveK
Hi all, I am 98% finished in making a display case for some pocket watches. The case will hang in the wall, the watches will hang inside the case.

But, in the words of Homer Simpson, Doh! I just realized that the cup hooks I am using are fine for watches size 16 and up, but for size 12, the space inside the bow is too small to fit over the hooks. I live on the west coast of BC, so with earth quakes and all, these safety cup hooks seemed smart, until...well...

I don’t want to hang the watches from chains because the look if the case is more tight and tidy. Picture hooks would fit, but they don’t look very nice.

Any ideas? Is there a specialty shop for this kind of thing? @Fritz @Canuck ?

The hook

This works 👍

This doesn’t 🙁

Thank you in advance

Perhaps you could use the same hooks, but add a brass link. Something like this:

DaveK · Oct 21, 2019

Thank you @wagudc 😀 That’d work, but I have only 3mm max for clearance.

The watch chain clasps used must be small (I don’t actually have a chain yet, that’s next on the list). But your post just got me to thinking, why don’t I get a few spare clasps or rings and use those. A quick search shows they are available and cheap, eBay or Etsy might be even cheaper

wagudc · Oct 21, 2019

DaveK
Thank you @wagudc 😀 That’d work, but I have only 3mm max for clearance.

The watch chain clasps used must be small (I don’t actually have a chain yet, that’s next on the list). But your post just got me to thinking, why don’t I get a few spare clasps or rings and use those. A quick search shows they are available and cheap, eBay or Etsy might be even cheaper

Not sure if it would be strong enough, but if you are that small a brass jump ring might hold the weight:

Professor · Oct 22, 2019

The well stocked Hobby Shops that cater to RC model aircraft builders carry an assortment of brass control rod stock in several smaller diameters.
You might try getting a rod of a diameter suited to your purpose and make your own double ended hook to slip through the bow and hook over the hooks in the display case. Have one hooked end 90 degrees from the other. Or put a loop in one end.

michael22 · Oct 22, 2019

I would consider fashioning my own custom hooks from brass rod.

Canuck · Oct 22, 2019

My pocket watches are only on display for two days out of the year. The rest of the time they are nestled in a very secure location. 😉 And when on display, they lie flat. At one time, I had them on display, hanging on cup hooks in a dedicated cabinet which was hung on a wall. I thought having them insured was reassurance enough that I should feel comfortable. Then it occurred to me that having insurance was only of value AFTER your stuff is gone, and I worried about them whenever nobody was home. So much for the peace of mind offered with having them insured!

IanES · Oct 22, 2019

What about a shelf instead of hooks? Shelf slopes down at something like 45 degrees with a step at the bottom to stop the watch sliding off.

Wood covered in a kind of soft velvet material.

I'm thinking that even pocket watches with lids could be displayed with their lids open.

Also watches where the winder/crown is at the 3 o'clock could also be displayed upright rather than hanging on their sides..

Also, if you were to allow people to handle them then it's easy for them to reach into the cabinet and pick one off the shelf rather than struggling pulling at the ring trying to get it off the hook.

But then I've never owned a pocket watch so have no idea what the 'norm' is when displaying them.

Professor · Oct 22, 2019

IanES
Also, if you were to allow people to handle them then it's easy for them to reach into the cabinet and pick one off the shelf

If I wanted to allow someone to examine a valuable watch, or anything of value, I'd prefer to take it out of its case myself. Too many fumble fingered friends have taught me that over the years.

Deafboy · Oct 22, 2019

Instead of a hook consider an acrylic stand. $8 for 3 at Amazon.

DaveK · Oct 22, 2019

Deafboy
Instead of a hook consider an acrylic stand. $8 for 3 at Amazon.

That's a handsome watch.

Thank you all, some really good ideas and guidance here. I have some inexpensive pieces that I'd like to enjoy seeing on a daily basis, so this has been helpful.

140dave · Oct 22, 2019

For any nice pocket watch I would go for the stands over the hooks. Over time the hooks can both scratch and wear away the gold or other surface metal on the underside of the bow and even change the shape of the bow if left hanging long enough. Just thoughts from a Bunn Special collector here trying to learn more about, and jump into, Omega. 😀

IanES · Oct 23, 2019

140dave
For any nice pocket watch I would go for the stands over the hooks. Over time the hooks can both scratch and wear away the gold or other surface metal on the underside of the bow and even change the shape of the bow if left hanging long enough. Just thoughts from a Bunn Special collector here trying to learn more about, and jump into, Omega. 😀

Agreed. If a small ring is high karat gold then it is quite soft. Might not distort under the watch's own weight but even light tugs will, over time, distort it.

OMTOM · Oct 23, 2019

Canuck · Oct 23, 2019

Only way mine get displayed.

DaveK · Oct 23, 2019

Canuck
Only way mine get displayed.

Fantastic collection

DaveK · Oct 23, 2019

IanES
Agreed. If a small ring is high karat gold then it is quite soft. Might not distort under the watch's own weight but even light tugs will, over time, distort it.

I have some gold filled, but no high carat gold. But, these are things I wouldn’t have considered without the OF community. Thank you all 👍

IanES · Oct 23, 2019

DaveK
I have some gold filled, but no high carat gold. But, these are things I wouldn’t have considered without the OF community. Thank you all 👍

Hanging Gold filled or gold plated on a metal hook will wear the plating away over time. Sooner or later depending how thick the plating is.

michael22 · Oct 23, 2019

Piece of thin leather.

Make 2 holes.

Trim to a suitable shape.

Place leather through watch loop, & hook goes through holes in leather.

DaveK · Oct 23, 2019

OMG yes, that, that is the solution. It will look really good and will be perfectly functional. Thank you @michael22 ! There is a fabric store not too far away that sells pieces of scrap leather.

Thank you everyone, gotta love OF 👍

What hooks do you use to display pocket watches?

DaveK

wagudc

DaveK

wagudc

Professor

michael22

Canuck

IanES

Professor

Deafboy

DaveK

140dave

IanES

OMTOM

Canuck

DaveK

DaveK

IanES

michael22

DaveK

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