watchwinders

Watch, Winders & Clock Keys

The watch key served the mechanical purpose of winding the watch but were also suspended from the watch chain and treated decoratively

Pocket watches did not always wind and set at the pendant (winding crown or stem). A lot of people are surprised to learn that a key was used at one time. There were many types of keys from fancy ones to advertising ones and the wealthy sported gold ones. There were also ratchet type keys to make winding easier. Key sizes varied since they had to fit the different size arbors on the watch. They were usually around a inch and a half in length and were attached to the pocket watch chain or chatelaine.
The very first pocket watches, since their creation in the 16th century, up until the third quarter of the 19th century, had key-wind and key-set movements. A watch key was necessary to wind the watch and to set the time. This was usually done by opening the case back and putting the key over the winding-arbor (which was set over the watch’s winding-wheel, to wind the mainspring) or by putting the key onto the setting-arbor, which was connected with the minute-wheel and turned the hands. Some watches of this period had the setting-arbor at the front of the watch, so that removing the crystal and bezel was necessary to set the time.

Rachel lost the solid gold watch on her land 50 years ago and it was a present from her Auntie. Nj Joe while searching her sheep pasture found it and then presented it back to her.


1900's Antique pocket watch - Remontoir Perfectionne pocket watch Swiss made	Victorian monogrammed silver watch

1950's wrist watch	Interesting inscribed fob watch VINTAGE REMONTOIR CYLINDRE 10 RUBIS POCKET WATCH ' Rwmontoir Cylindre Brubis' Remontoir refers to the way it's wound, with a winding staff as opposed to a key. it's not the company name.

Huge silver 'Hunter' sized pocket fob watch dated 1879 London mint - maker JJ	1919 Silver Fob watch back - Birmingham hall mark, date letter U Dennison, Wigley & Co (from 1879) makers mark ALD - Hansworth Birmingham Sovereign case, tea service, watch case
1930's 9 carat gold Rotary watch

WWII Army watch	Victorian silver pocket watch
20thC Continental silver watch back - 92.5% silver