Watch chain: An unexplained feature

Artifex · Mar 16, 2021

Not so long ago, I bought a watch chain from one of the usual internet sources. It was advertised as "antique", and is certainly old, though I couldn't date it.

The T-bar is magnetic (presumably steel), and arranged so that the central barrel is trapped between the two hexagonal arms, but free to rotate. The arms can be pulled apart slightly, and spring back together.

The question, then, is the purpose of the black stub on one end. Why is it there, and why was it left as a relatively unsightly feature on a piece that was designed to be attractive? Surely not an accident of design!

Any thoughts?

BobHufford · Mar 17, 2021

Would it be for a key-wound/set watch?

Cornelius · Mar 17, 2021

BobHufford said:
Would it be for a key-wound/set watch?

View attachment 318719

My first thought as well.

Artifex · Mar 17, 2021

By George, he's right! I tried it, and it does fit the winding post of one of my (barely functional, sadly) watches.

That prompts a follow-up question, why does my key-wind/set watch require two different keys?

Aerielle Max · Mar 18, 2021

Cornelius said:
My first thought as well.

Same dude, this applies to me as well.

Turnip · Mar 18, 2021

I would say to keep the movement/setting/gearbox from getting damaged by mistakably used for winding up. Predictable misuse is the keyword.

Artifex · Mar 18, 2021

Turnip said:
I would say to keep the movement/setting/gearbox from getting damaged by mistakably used for winding up. Predictable misuse is the keyword.

I'm afraid I don't quite follow. Do you mean that if the same key fit both the setting and winding mechanisms, one of them would get damaged?

Turnip · Mar 18, 2021

Yes, winding the spring takes relative much power compared to time setting. So if you expect to wind the spring and turn the key respectively powerful that might possibly cause damage to the way more fragile setting if you get the wrong „keyhole“ by mistake.
I would say that’s also the reason why the setting key has no wings, levers...

Turnip · Mar 18, 2021

But that’s of course only my opinion, am no watchmaker, horologist...or so.

Harry Gooch · Mar 20, 2021

But magnetic? Isn't that bad for vintage watches? I seem to recall a big feature of watches in the 60s and earlier was "anti-magnetic." Maybe someone with more knowledge than me can chime in.

Artifex · Mar 21, 2021

Harry Gooch said:
But magnetic? Isn't that bad for vintage watches? I seem to recall a big feature of watches in the 60s and earlier was "anti-magnetic." Maybe someone with more knowledge than me can chime in.

Poor wording on my part, that is. The bar is attracted to a magnet, but does not have a noticeable magnetic field of its own.

By my understanding, the problem is that if the wheels in a watch can be magnetised (and are, by accident), then the watch will run fast and slow as all the poles attract each other and pull apart at various intervals. Friction between parts might increase too.

I seem to recall some concern that diesel-electric railway locomotives, as they replaced steam, could lead to enginemen's watches becoming unreliable in proximity to large generators, etc. That led to a requirement that the watches be made of metal than cannot be magnetised. Brass, or some specialist steels?

Harry Gooch · Mar 21, 2021

I see. Thanks. That makes perfect sense.

Harp · Mar 26, 2021

Artifex said:
Not so long ago, I bought a watch chain from one of the usual internet sources. It was advertised as "antique", and is certainly old, though I couldn't date it.

The T-bar is magnetic (presumably steel), and arranged so that the central barrel is trapped between the two hexagonal arms, but free to rotate. The arms can be pulled apart slightly, and spring back together.

The question, then, is the purpose of the black stub on one end. Why is it there, and why was it left as a relatively unsightly feature on a piece that was designed to be attractive? Surely not an accident of design!

View attachment 318499 View attachment 318500

Any thoughts?

It is possible that the bar with stub can serve as a compass, which its design and mechanical spring infer.

Artifex · Mar 29, 2021

Harp said:
It is possible that the bar with stub can serve as a compass, which its design and mechanical spring infer.

That's an interesting thought, although frankly it seems unlikely. The bar is not a permanent magnet - merely attracted to them. Even if it were a magnet in its own right, the form of the chain doesn't allow it to spin freely.

I did once see a functioning compass mounted as a watch-chain pendant. Are they still made, I wonder?

GaryJ · Dec 6, 2021

neeltones said:
Wow, a very beautiful rare watch and chain. I just really wanted to buy my own kind. Personally, I think that this plug is needed so that the watch does not fall off this chain. Maybe I'm wrong, guys, so don't get mad I'm thinking about what kind of watch to buy for myself, now I wear mostly LSI watches, Apple watch sometimes and I want to choose a rare watch for myself. Can any of you recommend good ones? I'm thinking of buying myself a pocket watch and a wristwatch. I would like to be rare, it seems to me there is more soul in old things than in new ones made on machines. Thank you in advance for your advice.Maybe I'll look at the best replica watches site

I’d be very careful about vintage watches. Yes, old mechanical watches can have ‘soul’. They can also be incredibly expensive to service. Quite a few watch makers release new watches which reflect the maker’s back catalogue ie what they made decades ago. Longines, Bulova and Laco among others do this. More affordably, an Orient Bambino or Timex Marlin is worth looking into. Seiko Presage is more pricey though some of them have lovely art deco dials. Sorry, I have no idea about pocket watches.

M Hatman · Jul 20, 2022

BobHufford said:
Would it be for a key-wound/set watch?

Not so long ago, I bought a watch chain from one of the usual internet sources. It was advertised as "antique", and is certainly old, though I couldn't date it.

The T-bar is magnetic (presumably steel), and arranged so that the central barrel is trapped between the two hexagonal arms, but free to rotate. The arms can be pulled apart slightly, and spring back together.

The question, then, is the purpose of the black stub on one end. Why is it there, and why was it left as a relatively unsightly feature on a piece that was designed to be attractive? Surely not an accident of design!

View attachment 318499 View attachment 318500

Any thoughts?

BobHufford said:
Would it be for a key-wound/set watch?

View attachment 318719

It is absolutely this, as Bob says......I have a few of them. They are nice in that you have a key with you that does not have to hang as a fob of sorts......

And two keys used as fobs.....I think the key takes away from my hat fob......crowds it actually.

Watch chain: An unexplained feature

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