Ideas for a dead but lovely watch

[caolsen]

Sorry if there is already a thread on this but… I have a lovely Art Deco original lady’s dress watch where I’ve spent 2 years with a watchmaker trying to source a replacement part for a very old, original 17 jewel Omega movement. Can’t find it - so the mechanics are dead.

I could get a modern movement installed and keep it as is but I love the idea of a bracelet conversion. Maybe place a piece a platinum where the face is with some engraving.

It’s diamonds and calibre cut sapphire. Would LOVE your thoughts!

 

[Lucy-In-The-Sky]

I've seen some gorgeous art deco watches that were set into gold bangles. I think Grace might have one listed on her site, in fact, if it hasn't sold.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Know what I think is just the bees knees? The crystal lockets with loose cut diamonds/gemstones in them. TheCopperCanary on Etsy has a lot of really cool lockets. You could do that with your watch!

 

[Tourmaline]

Fun! My vote is to get tiny Herkimer diamonds (Quartz) and fill the case with them, much like the shaker locket shown by @Sprinkles&Stones.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I wouldn't do plain platinum, but something decorative with stones. I actually like the thought of having a central element that looks kind of like a navette ring, in sapphire and diamond. So basically remove the watch elements, and add an elongated oval-ish shape like a navette ring, with 3 diamonds down the middle and the rest in sapphire pave. The blank spaces around the navette shape can be filled with diamond pave - so the shape of the navette is defined by the other stones, in relief. It can also be done the other way around - sapphire centre, diamond navette shape, sapphire pave to fill out the rectangle.

 

[foxinsox]

Tagging @Bron357 here as she’s done this with a couple of watches

 

[caolsen]

Tagging @Bron357 here as she’s done this with a couple of watches

Thank you @foxinsox

 

[caolsen]

Know what I think is just the bees knees? The crystal lockets with loose cut diamonds/gemstones in them. TheCopperCanary on Etsy has a lot of really cool lockets. You could do that with your watch!

Very cool idea @Sprinkles&Stones

 

[Bron357]

I’ve done a few. One is still at the jewellers having the centre set (we are in lockdown here in Sydney).
Btw, you could install a different brand vintage movement if you get the dimensions correct.
And I’m presuming the band is a gold fill one. You can spend time on eBay looking for a solid gold or Platinium band attached to a dead watch that no one else is keen on. I’ve scored two spares that way.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Ooh, there's a pic of Kate Moss with big emerald/paraiba bracelets : I could see your watch with a big tourmaline or something.

Updated Celebrity Rings!!!

OK I know this is a ring thread and I was looking for Kate Moss' ring but but but she was wearing this in one of the pictures so can somebody please cover me with dirt and say a prayer because I. Am. DEAD.

www.pricescope.com

 

[sprinklesparkles]

Add a giant portrait cut diamond.


JK.

 

[Lookinagain]

Maybe place a piece a platinum where the face is with some engraving.

maybe that plate, with the engraving but some kind of gemstone set in the middle of the plate?

 

[Tonks]

My two cents:

I see several options:

Option 1: Pendant conversion. Set the hands to display a significant time to you (perhaps the time of day of your wedding, or of a child’s birth?) and then do a pendant conversion. It would be gorgeous. I have a fashion pendant somewhere that is a watch face, but it was never a working watch. I would not take the mechanics out. Just let them be non-working. It’s a beautiful watch face with a story.

Option 2: replace the movement and wear it as a gorgeous evening dress watch.

Option 3: try to get a second opinion with another watchmaker to be absolutely certain someone else cannot source the part you need. Maybe look on one of the watch forums. My experience there is limited—someone like @Dancing Fire could probably guide you.

It is a beautiful piece!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Two ideas...

What about trying to find a cameo that would fit in the space?

Or -- and I realize this is a little funky -- what about removing the face but leaving the glass so you see the intricate mechanism underneath? I have a pendant that used to be an old pocket watch like this and I wear it all the time. It's very eye catching! I'm out of town right now and I don't have it with me so post a pic.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Here’s a pic I just grabbed from the internet.

 

[caolsen]

Two ideas...

What about trying to find a cameo that would fit in the space?

Or -- and I realize this is a little funky -- what about removing the face but leaving the glass so you see the intricate mechanism underneath? I have a pendant that used to be an old pocket watch like this and I wear it all the time. It's very eye catching! I'm out of town right now and I don't have it with me so post a pic.

Lobe this idea - thank you.

 

[blingmeupscotty]

I would probably try and turn it into a set of some sort with a necklace as the show piece.

Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Necklace, c.1920s | Farringdons Jewellery

A beautifully designed art deco diamond & sapphire necklace crafted in platinum. The old cut diamonds total to 0.80 carat on the pendant, with ...

www.farringdonsjewellery.com

 

[RMOO]

I may be the odd man out, but I think the face of this watch is beautiful. I would see if there is enough room between the crystal and the face to add a few small, loose rose cut diamonds and sapphires (real or simulants.) Then set the hands in an eye-pleasing position (or representing a significant date if that works out) and wear it as a funky bracelet.

 

[caolsen]

Update, the yolk had worn out and that is a part you apparently can’t get for a first year omega movement anymore... So we put in a modern movement and she’s back in service. The conversion was much less expensive then I thought it would be, so we went that route.

I don’t normally wear it like this. Wrist seemed like the best way to transport her home.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Update, the yolk had worn out and that is a part you apparently can’t get for a first year omega movement anymore... So we put in a modern movement and she’s back in service. The conversion was much less expensive then I thought it would be, so we went that route.

I don’t normally wear it like this. Wrist seemed like the best way to transport her home.

wonderful news !