Posted 8 years ago
leese
(13 items)
I'm not sure what the particular item is. It has a charming picture covered in what I think is glass. The piece on top spins around but I'm not sure if it is entirely removable and I don't want to break it.
Does anyone recognize it, or have suggestions where I might get more information?
Pocket watch. Someone removed the watch face and put a picture inside. It doesn't open from the top - the back is removable.
The ribbed button is the winder.
Had it still been a watch, it would have been a Half Hunter. Called that because there is no cover for the watch face.
Thanks for the info. I was stumped because it looks like a pocket watch but there is no way to open it, no hinges and appears seamless . I got this piece from the estate of a 90 plus year old collector but don't know the story behind it. It had been packed away for decades in a box with other interesting pieces.
The back has to open up because someone had to be able to put the photo inside. Pocket watches don't have hinges - the entire back lifts off. Take it to jeweler and ask them to open it for you.
I correct myself - they do have hinges, but these are not necessarily visible from the outside.
The back comes off by turning it counter-clockwise. Place the face of the watch in one palm & with your other palm unscrew it.
Dave
It's seems like it must have been soldered shut because this thing is not budging. I will have to take it into a shop and see if they can do it. I know the same lady I got this from was constantly having custom pieces made, or taking old parts and making new things, and she was also a collector of all things unique so maybe she obtained it already remade.
Thanks for the comments and info!
LOL what we go through for the things we collect!
Looks like Thomas Gainsborough image. You think?
Have them check to see if it's gold while you're at it. The "winder" I believe is called the crown. The button there doesn't push down? Pretty cool item.
This is so very interesting!!
It's not gold; and like others have said, it must open - jewelers would have a special tool for opening such watches. What a neat idea - to put a picture inside; when you get it open, you may want to put in a picture or other mementoes of your choice and add a chain to make a cool pendant necklace.