I get to pick a pretty!

[Ellen]

I get to pick one of these watches. One was my maternal grandmothers, and this other was her sisters, my great aunt Jo.

There are certain things I like about both, but I have a preferance for one of them (I won''t say just yet). I thought it would be fun to post them and see what you guys thought. The diamonds are single cut, but I don''t know anything else about them. Obviously the ones face needs a touch up, and I''m sure they both need cleaned. Who knows when they were last, they''ve been in a bank box for years.


I also thought it would be fun to put a face with the names, so here is my "nanny" and her watch. I sure do miss her.

 

[Ellen]

Aunt Jo and hers. I LOVE this pic. When my nanny passed away, and mom said I could pick a few things, this was one of the first I grabbed. I just think it's so cool. I never got to meet her, she died very young of breast cancer.

 

[Ellen]

Close up.

 

[Ellen]

Side view.

 

[Ellen]

Other side.

 

[Ellen]

Lil fire!

 

[Ellen]

Not to be outdone.

 

[Ellen]

Wrist shot.

 

[Ellen]

And the other.

 

[Ellen]

One last peek at nanny''s.

 

[Ellen]

Last for Aunt Jo''s.

 

[diamondfan]

I love the old photos!

Both are clearly sentimental. Gerrard Pirregaux is a well known name, so you might just consider that as you decide. That is the one I like the best, the shape is a bit unusual!

 

[simplysplendid]

Both watches are gorgeous! It can be a hard time deciding.. what if the both of you pick the same watch?

 

[musey]

SDL, I was thinking the same thing about Aunt Jo's picture. She looks so glamorous! I actually prefer her watch, if I had to pick... what a hard decision though (post-cleaning), as they are BOTH so beautiful!

 

[Gypsy]

Your nanny's watch is more to my personal taste, I recognize the brand, and looks in better shape... but on your wrist? I prefer your Aunts hands down. Looks just fabulous and delicate and show-stopping there. What a lovely dilemna to have. They are both stunning!

 

[door knob solitaire]

If you hadn''t shown the portraits...I would have gone the other way. But Aunt Jo is mesmerizing. Her style...that elegance. That whisper of a smile. Her clothing. That hat with it''s glorious plume. I would hope to carry a smidgen of that Grace by wearing Aunt Jo''s watch.

I wonder what appointment meant the most to her as she checked the minutes. Was she going to be on time? Who was waiting? If only she had one more hour...ah but you see, you do.

Aunt Jo and the dainty bracelet, feminine, unique, round face dotted with age. Aunt Jo...Aunt Jo.

DKS

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Goodness how to decide? Both such treasures and beautiful. For me it would be the square--I am drawn to that shape and I could see the dial more clearly (age and infirmity

).

cheers--Sharon

 

[widget]

Oh Ellen!!! What a delicious dilemma to be in! And your pictures of Nanna and Great Aunt Jo are so wonderful!

You can't go wrong with either one....do you remember your Nanna wearing her watch? That would probably push me to favor hers.

Otherwise, all things being equal, I'd probably favor Aunt Jo's. There's something different about it....almost Edwardian...that I like. I suppose knowing the cost of having it restored might be good to know.

Although the PG name probably does make Nanna's more "collectable", you never know. Once I saw a 'no-name' Deco watch, but the movement (innards) were stamped Piaget!

Thanks so much for sharing your dilemma...the pictures are just wonderful. Looking forward to hearing your decision!

widget

ETA: Hee hee I just saw Sharon's post. She's so right...how easy it is to tell the time should definitely be a factor in deciding...

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I personally like your Nanny''s better but you really can''t go wrong with either. What a lucky "problem" to have.

 

[Harriet]

Your Nanny''s!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

They are gorgeous, both the watches and the ladies who wore them! I prefer Nanny''s watch...that is the one that I would pick!

 

[iheartscience]

Hmm...for sentimental reasons I''d be tempted to pick your Nanny''s. But it''s also cool to have a little piece of your Aunt Jo with you since you never met her.

If I was going on looks alone, I''d pick Aunt Jo''s, hands down. I agree with Gypsy-it looks perfect on your wrist! Of course, either way, you can''t go wrong.

 

[nebe]

I LOVE the square one, absolutely!!

They''re both beautiful, you can''t go wrong with either!

 

[Kaleigh]

I love them both, good luck deciding!!

 

[oobiecoo]

I just LOVE old pictures! Both watches are absolutely amazing but I would probably pick your grandmother''s watch...

 

[surfgirl]

ellen, lovely watches! What a dilemma! The Gerard Perreguax is a very well known and respected manufacturer of fine time pieces so from a collector's perspective I'd go with that one. It is also easier to read the time (assuming they both still work), and as someone already said, if your you remember your grandmother wearing it, that makes it more special. I personally prefer round watch faces and I love your Aunt's watch, but for some reason I'm leaning towards grandma's...

ETA: Who did your OEC belong to? One of these women? The round face would echo the shape of your round old cut...Either way, whichever one you decide upon, I'd think about replacing the strap with a black satin strap (assuming you can do that without damaging the watch and original straps)...Something about a vintage watch face with diamonds on a black satin strap is just divine!

 

[Ellen]

Thanks for all the replies, I loved reading your thoughts!


df, yes, I looked that name up and saw they're well known. I meant to say, you can't read it, but the other is an Elgin. Something else I forgot to point out that's different about that one, it has a little blue star under the 12, and the hands are also the same color blue.

SDL, you know, I always thought Aunt Jo looked awesome in that photo, but never thought about her actually looking like a movie star, but she really does!

simply, I get first dibs, cuz my sister is getting more stuff (jewelry) than me.

musey, yes, I'm wondering how much better AJ's would look after a good cleaning....

Gypsy, I think AJ's looks better on me too!

dks, you crack me up!

(I love your posts)

Sharon, lmao about seeing the time! Actually, it's not that funny.

Widget, interesting question about if I remember her wearing the watch. No, I honestly don't, although I do remember her wearing the Aquamarine ring.

And you raise another good queston. How expensive could restoration be?? I have absolutely no clue about something like that...

Tacori, I wish ALL my problems were like this!

Harriet and DD, your votes are duly noted! (I had a feeling hers would get more votes)

2of2, I also like the idea of having AJ's since I never knew her. I think it would be nice to have a small part of her.

nebe, I agree, I can't lose here!

Thanks Kaliegh and oobie!

surfgirl, funny, I just KNEW you'd pick AJ's. lol Good thing I didn't put money on it.

And my OMC setting was my moms.


Ok, I'm leaning towards AJ's. Which is funny, since I am SO drawn to squares, but this one just speaks to me. It's different, and I like that. (although the other is too, but less so to me) And as I said and so did 2, it would be nice to have something of hers. I also think it looks better on.

About the band, that is something I like better on nanny's. I thought about changing it, but it would lose that little triangular piece, which also has a diamond in it, and adds a bit more character to it. So then I hate to do it....

If I went purely on sparkle actor, nan's would win, it's a bit flashier, but that really isn't that important to me.

Hmmm.....

 

[vivianv]

If watches could talk I think your Aunts would have more interesting stories to tell.

I love the round face on that one and think it looks nicer on your arm. The other is lovely too though. Hard choice.

 

[wolftress]

Ellen, they''re both beautiful! And that is an amazing photo of your Aunt Jo - she epitomises the class and elegance of that era!

I thought I liked the square watch better, but on you the round one looks amazing. It really flatters your wrist and looks classic and timeless!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ellen, I think they are both beautiful! But I am betting that Aunt Jo''s is an older watch. Your Nanny''s watch looks newer to me. On one hand, Nanny''s looks ready to wear, and you''d have to spend money to get your AJ''s watch to be wearable. Sort of a toss up...but I think AJ''s might look more in line with the antique ring you have.