I was just curious as to what practice those who carry/occasionally carry keywind/keyset pockets do with their keys between windings/settings?

Do you keep the key on the chain when you're carrying your watch, or do you leave the key at home? What was/is standard practice?

Just curious as to what folks do....or did.

Regards! Mark

Without knowing for certain about yesteryear, I would think the key hung from the chain similar to a fob and was kept with the watch, not everyone went home every night....

I don't carry any of my key wind watches but for those that have a chain with them do have their keys attached for that watch....

My opinion only, lets see what other members have to say....

Regards,
Jerry

My "Gambler's watch" is (to me) a perfect example of what you might have seen during the early post-antebellum period. It came with all the things you see here including a very nice adjustable "key" for winding and setting time which still works perfectly. I "see" a riverboat gambler with his last great love's Hair" fob, the gold pistol and the Key Winder all carried in a fine wool vestment opposite his little derringer.

Good point, Jerry. I hadn't thought the 'not going home at night' angle.

BEAUTIFUL keywind, Dave! I love that chain!

I, too, wear my key as a fob on my chain, but instead of the vest bar, I have a spring ring attached to wear the watch in a trouser watch pocket.

I was just curious how (and if) others did the same when they carried theirs.

Thanks for the posts so far, my friends! I hope other keywind photos are shown.

What I find interesting about my Illinois is the case has the standard hinged back with hinged curvette with hole to wind the watch...but the front is a screw on bezel. Takes a bit more time to set the watch not having the front bezel hinged as well. It also appears the case and movement started out life together.

You can read about it and it's return to life on the bench of Chris Abell in this thread:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...201092972#2201092972

Leon Harris fixed the broken case pin at the base of the pendent, as well as had a NOS pinion where the setting square was worn right down to the nub. That made it almost impossible to set the hands with the key, but that is no longer the case.

It loses about half a minute a day, but considering it's age, and the fact it was never supposed to be a 'railroad' watch, I haven't bothered to fool around with the regulator to try and time it in closer, as the whip is sitting dead center of the scale....just the way Chris set it, and just the way you see it in the 'after' photo. It has not been touched.

That kind of time keeping would have been JUST fine for a watch in 1882, I bet!

Between Chris and Leon, I have the PERFECT kw/ks for occasional carry. I'm still very happy with the watch.

Regards! Mark

I also think the key was carried with the watch, several I have bought with old leather straps always had the key attached to one end, that is unless you were luck enough to have a hidden key case.

I would guess that back in the day you didn't necessarily wind your watch before you left the house, also since travel was much slower I think often you would find yourself away from home.

Just my thoughts on someone who unfortunately didn't live in the age they were meant for.

Tom

Hey Mark, I carry my watch with a short fob.

And my key on my key chain with my car keys. Guess they didn't have car keys when this watch was made.

BEAUTIFUL Waltham!

I have a really REALLY nice gold fob like that, but I'm always afraid my watch will bounce out of my pocket not being connected to me somehow.

I guess it's all in what you're used to wearing, though.

I've had to chuckle today. Since writing about my watch losing 30 seconds a day, it's kept perfect time over 12 hours since this morning's regular winding.

I think it knew I was talking about it and decided to be good today.

Tom, I'm right there with you regarding being 'out of our time'. I drive a 59 year old car...I carry 100+ year old watches, and wear fedoras each and every day, and worn them since my teens (I'm in my mid 50's now), so yep...even my Mom used to say I was 60 years too late for the time period's I enjoy. I always answered "It wasn't MY fault!" (grins)

Regards! Mark

My wife always says, I did live back then & to just enjoy the life I have now. I keep telling her I am brand new & never lived before so I can wish to live in another era.

If only I get get Sherman & Mr. Peabody to finish that "way back machine".

Tom

Just to add, if you carry your key with the watch, that's fine. Just make sure it's not in the same pocket as the watch, or it may scratch the case up.
Brian C.

Mine is on a drop chain (like a watch fob) hanging from my main chain, so it's completely separate from the watch. Good advice, Brian.

Regard! Mark