Heirloom watch

[AnnaH]

What should I do with a watch that either belonged to my great-grandmother or my grandmother? My mother had it for years but doesn't remember who gave it to her. It's very small, so my grandmother had to be the last to wear it. She's the only one that tiny. It's only 6" and I'm 6.5. A jeweler suggested that I have new works installed and links added so that I could wear it as a watch. Any more creative ideas?

It's a Welsbro, 17 jewel, Swiss
14K case and gold filled bracelet

 

[Stone Hunter]

It looks like the face of the watch may need to be very gently cleaned by a good watch person.

I would consider turning it into a pendant, women's watches used to be pendants. OR I would go for a totally new watch band. A new band would be sturdy and the correct size. Congrats on the family heirloom.

 

[AnnaH]

Thanks, SH.
Can you guess when it was made?
Anyone have an idea about that?

 

[Stone Hunter]

For the age I'd take it to my watch guy...the inside workings, if original will give a clue. There may even be a date on the inside back of the case. Usually they mark and date the service there. So if the first service was before a certain date that will help you figure out who owned the watch first. HTH

 

[AnnaH]

Good info, and interesting, SH.

 

[VRBeauty]

My guess would be 1930's. If you examine the back and sides of the case closely, you should be able to find a little indentation or something that would allow you to carefully remove the back. There might also be a serial number there, but I haven't been able to find a serial number table for Welsbro. Replacement bands for that style are still being made, and you might be able to pick one up at a local jeweler or online (search for "womens vintage watch band" on ebay or etsy). Often these vintage watches just need to be cleaned - my local guy charges about $200 to clean an old manual wind watch.

Or... find four or five other vintage watches (like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Vi...ch-Lot-Of-9-/171926219455?hash=item280799eabf) and string them all together with some links and beads, to make a vintage watch bracelet. There are lots of examples and DIY instructions online.

 

[AnnaH]

Thanks, VR. I have seen those types of bracelets. But I would never have thought that the band would still be available.

 

[VRBeauty]

You probably won't be able to find that exact band, but you should be able to find something similar. I even have a few extra bands at home... but I'm away from home right now, so I can't post them. You can find new vintage bands at very good prices online, but you'd probably have to take them to a local jeweler or watch shop to get them adjusted to fit you.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/108973...&ga_search_query=watch band&ref=sr_gallery_13

https://www.etsy.com/listing/232510...&ga_search_query=watch band&ref=sr_gallery_18

https://www.etsy.com/listing/221616...ga_search_query=watch band&ref=sr_gallery_34

https://www.etsy.com/listing/235459...&ga_search_query=watch band&ref=sr_gallery_42

 

[CravingDiamonds]

wow thats a throwback watch from back in the day. Absolutely love the way it looks.

 

[AnnaH]

Thanks CD. Any suggestions on what I should do with it? For now I may just have it cleaned, add links, and wear it like a bracelet.