Is That A Pocket Ben in Your Pocket--Or Are You Just Glad To See Me?

[Erik in NJ]

I've found lot of pocket watch parts over the years, but this is the closest to a full watch--still has a remnant of the broken attached chain. It's a Wesclox Pocket Ben from the 1930s. I did find the back on a prior outing. Unfortunately just silver plated so sadly it's essentially junk, but it displays kinda ok. Also found the guts to another pocket watch (I think) on the property. Still looking for a good one...

What do you guys do with all your pocket watch parts, covers, guts, junkers?

 

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[lenmac65]

Interesting piece - congrats! I like how it still has its face, if that's what it's called. I have only found three watches, none of them quite as complete as yours. Not sure what to do with them, so I am curious to see what others suggest. Happy hunting!

 

[Argentium]

Erik , That's a cool find ! The last year or two I've found a boatload of pocket watch guts , bezels , caps
(or covers ) All base metal so far . I find them in the
forests - still looking forward to my first silver or gold
one !

 

[pepperj]

I have been to many artisans shows, the ones that set up in the park along with dozens/100 others for the annual sale. There's alway a few that use the parts in their art pieces and I've sold/gifted many parts over the years to a people that have creative minds.
Nothing cooler that seeing it being repurposed once again into art, and thinking cool I dug that piece up.
I've had homestead sites where there seems to be many cases and parts-makes a person wonder if it was the local home watch maker/fixer.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Nice find! Pocket watches are some of my favorite things to find...
(I have only found one complete watch with everything intact except the glass face and watch hands. The glass shards and rusted remnants of the watch hands were still loosely in the hole. The case is coin silver and the serial number confirmed it was made during the month of November 1863.)
I keep all of the lesser pocket watch parts together in a box with other found watch-related items such as fobs and pocket watch chains...

 

[Trezurehunter]

Nice find Erik. As long as the pocket watches that I find (5) are still mostly intact like yours, I put them into my display case. I have been very lucky to have found 4 out of the 5, that even still have the cover and back on them. If I just find some bits and pieces, they go in the garbage.