Share your favorites on Show & Tell

What are watch papers?

In Pocket Watches > Show & Tell and Advertising > Show & Tell.
Deano's loves1469 of 2468Faux Tortoiseshell and Pearl Shell PendantFooted thorn vase green to clear
46
Love it
0
Like it

WalkingthefloorWalkingthefloor loves this.
AnnaBAnnaB loves this.
lisalisa loves this.
JohnsmithJohnsmith loves this.
Vynil33rpmVynil33rpm loves this.
Lamplover78Lamplover78 loves this.
AimathenaAimathena loves this.
PaditPadit loves this.
swampdoggswampdogg loves this.
inkyinky loves this.
ravage60ravage60 loves this.
roddyqroddyq loves this.
CWfriendsCWfriends loves this.
ElisabethanElisabethan loves this.
mcheconimcheconi loves this.
martikamartika loves this.
PeterdruryPeterdrury loves this.
whyattwhyatt loves this.
ho2cultchaho2cultcha loves this.
clockermanclockerman loves this.
ManikinManikin loves this.
ttomtuckerttomtucker loves this.
bucketheadbuckethead loves this.
RecordmantimeRecordmantime loves this.
TreyTrey loves this.
pw-collectorpw-collector loves this.
Rick55Rick55 loves this.
NevadaBladesNevadaBlades loves this.
SEAN68SEAN68 loves this.
crazycharactercrazycharacter loves this.
CaperkidCaperkid loves this.
fleafinderfleafinder loves this.
kyratangokyratango loves this.
WatchClockWatcherWatchClockWatcher loves this.
antiqueroseantiquerose loves this.
mikelv85mikelv85 loves this.
TassieDevilTassieDevil loves this.
blunderbuss2blunderbuss2 loves this.
DeanoDeano loves this.
PhilDMorrisPhilDMorris loves this.
EfesgirlEfesgirl loves this.
rniedermanrniederman loves this.
jscott0363jscott0363 loves this.
packrat-placepackrat-place loves this.
See 44 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 8 years ago

    pops52
    (28 items)

    Here are several examples of watch papers from the mid 1700's to the early 1800's that came with some of my English fusee pocket watches.

    What are watch papers?

    Watch papers are small printed round paper inserts that were placed in pocket watches to protect their inner workings from dust. They were printed on one side with the names and addresses of the watchmaker or fixer, and a manufacturing or repair date was often handwritten on the paper. Some bore intricate illustrations, often showing allegorical figures and even timepieces. Despite their importance as a practical complement to watches and examples of printing art, a modern Webster's dictionary slights them, proclaiming that a watch paper is "an old-fashioned ornament for the inside of a watch-case made of paper fancifully cut or printed." (Source: Richard McKinstry-The Ephemera Society of America)

    The watch papers vary in size from 1 1/2 inches to 2 1/2 inches in diameter, but the common size seems to be about 2 inches in diameter. Though watch papers also varied in thickness, the earliest ones are on thicker and higher-grade paper.

    Thanks for looking!

    logo
    Pocket Watches
    See all
    Antique Vintage Maritime Brass Victoria London1875 Pocket Watch with Leather Box
    Antique Vintage Maritime Brass Vict...
    $18
    Set of 14 Pocket Watch Key for Winding & Setting Size 00-12 - Antique Vintage
    Set of 14 Pocket Watch Key for Wind...
    $10
    Mens Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watch with Chain Brass Open Face Case Fob Watches
    Mens Vintage Mechanical Pocket Watc...
    $26
    Brass Pocket Watch Nautical Vintage American Elgin Look Collectible Antique 2
    Brass Pocket Watch Nautical Vintage...
    $15
    logo
    Antique Vintage Maritime Brass Victoria London1875 Pocket Watch with Leather Box
    Antique Vintage Maritime Brass Vict...
    $18
    See all

    Comments

    1. Recordmantime, 8 years ago
      Very cool write up ken ..its amazing how much go's into a watch ...thanks for shearing ..
    2. jscott0363 jscott0363, 8 years ago
      Pops,
      These old watch papers are always so neat to see.
    3. PhilDMorris PhilDMorris, 8 years ago
      It is sometimes bad how much information is given by people who do not know much about anything, a lot of that goes on wiki also, incorrect info. Great photos you have showing your papers and the importance !~
    4. kyratango kyratango, 8 years ago
      Ha Pops, I'm very glad to see these again, it was a great learning moment when you first post them :-)
    5. SEAN68 SEAN68, 8 years ago
      these really show there true fabulous age and these are great!!
    6. inky inky, 8 years ago
      Hello pops...Great post, very interesting...:-)
    7. pops52 pops52, 8 years ago
      Thanks everyone for all the comments and loves!
    8. mcheconi mcheconi, 8 years ago
      Very interesting post! Never heard about these before.
    9. inky inky, 8 years ago
      Hi pops52...:-)
    10. CWfriends CWfriends, 8 years ago
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRP8d7hhpoQ

      Merry Christmas my old friend ...smiling
    11. roddyq roddyq, 8 years ago
      I had an old silver stamped key wind watch from the 1890's and the paper inserts were calenders that were from a watch repair shop.
    12. fleafinder fleafinder, 8 years ago
      happy new year ken!
    13. kyratango kyratango, 8 years ago
      Happy New Year, Pops, full of joy, health and new treasures :-)
    14. inky inky, 8 years ago
      Hi pops!...;-)
    15. Vynil33rpm Vynil33rpm, 6 years ago
      You are the bearer of knowledge
      This was something Beyond the realm
      Of my knowledge ,,,,Thank You,, Sir

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.