Restoration of a Strange WWII Pocket Watch with the Handmade Leather Strap Still Intact 

130 years later and its outlived at least three owners. Survived two world wars and traveled half way around the world. Born not long after the dawn of the typewriter and functioning in the era of computers in space.

The watch was made between 1890-1920 for a German jeweler who cased it, that's about when nail-set or pin set watches were popular. This is a lady's watch made for the German market, the hallmarks are pre-WWI German market. The leather strap is the same design used in WWI and more or less pioneered by the German army at that time. (The British still considered wristlets to effeminate, and only changed in 1915 after a number got their heads blown off while fumbling for a pocket watch when going over the top) By the 1920s-30s these leather strapped watches were used by women, usually of lower economic means, you can see a lot of photos from this period where housewives and blue-collar working women were using these. So chances are this thing was used up until the end of WWII and then traded on the black market to an allied servicemen for cigarettes or "more"...The name of the original owner was Elly Horn; - she probably got it for Confirmation or something like that, those were very popular gifts in that period for young girls. If that watch could talk, the stories it could tell would be fascinating and probably heartbreaking.

I literally just opened up my computer to look for a wristwatch revival video. it's been a long day and I need to relax before bed. this is perfect.

Even though you have restored 100 thousand dollar Rolex’s, I think this is one of my favorites! This watch could have been a German soldiers that fell in combat. And my grandfather used to talk about items unfortunately taken when a person lost their life. As sad as it is it did happen. War is something none of us could even imagine. But what a timepiece and just the things this watch could tell us if it could only talk. Thank you so much for sharing. Bobby Wright

My partner heard the opening of this video from my iPad and exclaimed “Oh my goodness is that Marshall” because she knows how much I love your content and I’ve been waiting for a new one bless her 😂😂

Thanks for your great videos. Your voice is sooo relaxing. I have to watch the videos twice, because I often watch them in noon and get sleepy.

The providence by which the owner's father came by this watch has got to be a seriously interesting story.

"Rather beautiful dial". Understatement of the year. That dial is gorgeous. So is the entire watch. The watch and strap belong in a museum for everyone to see, not in a collection, hidden from sight. But Mel has taken great care of it over the decades.

We often wish possessions could speak, and this is one. Thanks to the owner and you for presenting this treasure.

I suspect this might have been not only a ladies watch, but a Nurse's watch. Luv your work. ❤❤❤

How in the world were parts so intricate and delicate and accurate manufactured in the 1800s?! I'm blown away. I need a history lesson.

I love your patience and enjoyment being in flow with your love for watchmaking. As the son of a Swiss-trained watchmaker (now passed) I have a particular love for your RU-vids as you channel my late father who I spent countless hours watching and talking as he practised his craft. Thank you Sir. ❤

As I was watching the video I started trying to make an old watch I bought run and figure out how to set it but at some point, I was so focused on what I was doing that completely ignored the video. While I was messing arround I noticed a tiny hole, inside, a screwed end shaft that was out of place. The piece that the shaft was supposed to be mounted on, conected with the crown and a spring, while on the outside connected to a button that was stuck in. Once I put everything in place I was happy to discover it was a tiny gear shifter to set the clock. Not long after, I was rewatching what I missed and what a surprise to see that you were talking and wondering about that same piece I was messing with. Then at the end when you asked if any of us figured out how to set that clock I was as thrilled as a child.

You and the Nekkid Watchmaker posting within hours of each other... Great!

I've been watching your videos and have bought a couple of watches cheap it seems like a great hobby my finances are holding me back but I've managed to put a small tool kit together and have managed to get 3 of the 4 watches i have bought working based off learning from your videos. so thankyou I appreciate your knowledge. Regards Craig Hooper

one of teh best thing about your videos is that they are obviously voiced over but the scripting is very well done. Timing and fit to the video is bang on always. great editing.

In this clip 28:31, you can see there's a small grove on either side of the button. I think you're right, that little groove would allow the use of a fingernail to depress the button fully. If a pokey tool was meant to be used (like a pin or such), there wouldn't be a groove and the button would be cupped to accommodate point of said pokey tool. 💕🌞🌵😷

My grandfather owned watch of very similar design, but in a golden case. Glad to see that someone keeps such watches alive

the leather case looks surprisingly like a modern air tag case XD that's a cool little DIY trench watch

You got me hooked. I just finished my first movement; an Omega 1040 chronograph. It had several problems that were easy to find after watching all of your videos. I know you said don't start with a wristwatch, and I know you said don't start with a chronograph, but I really liked it. It's the 176.007 case, which I'm attempting to restore. It looked like someone ran over it 50 times on a gravel road, so it was past "patina" and closer to "abused".

It's really cool to see the evolution of your tool use. I feel that you've grown in your expertise, and are able to utilize your ever growing tool set effectively in ways that you weren't able to in the beginning. Love the progression.

Marshall, Age and provenance have contributed to the charm even though it's not a complicated mechanism, it gets the job done and the band is an art, as well. Cheers, Rik Spector

I used to have a lady's Benson pocket watch [about this size] that had a Swiss movement [even though Benson made their own movements for the larger gents' watches] and it that had a little nubbin' like this to set the hands. Obviously it wound on the crown when the nubbin' was not pressed in. I bought it for my Neice's twenty-first birthday many years ago now. My Nephew was gifted [for his twenty-first] a large paterni Benson with the famous Ludgate movement which was of an older design with winding and setting with a separate key. Both kept good time, but obviously will never be used for daily ... or probably not even come out of the top draw! Love your videos! Best wishes from George in UK.

My father, who used to be an officer in WWII, had, over the time of the war, been given several watches by the Wehrmacht. They all had the kind of leather watch strap like the one this watch has. They were called Pionierarmbänder (engineer watch strap), probably to protect the metal from corroding when sweating under stress - but I really don't know. But since this watch had a similar kind of watch strap there must have been a reason for it beyond looking cool.

I could watch one of these videos every day. It’s so nice to see something old be revived. It’s so easy for things to be destroyed or forgotten. It’s wonderful when someone puts care and patience into maintaining a piece of history of the world.

So many amazing watches that have come across your way!

Wow what a beautifully preserved piece of history and an awesome family heirloom.

What a coincidence. I got nearly the exact same watch handed over from my grandma for restoration last weekend. Interestingly to see, that although they supposed to be the same watch, I got a small seconds hand on the dial too.

I Love watching ww2 watches being restored. Thank you for sharing the video

It’s amazing something so precision & beautiful could be made 130 years ago, and we get to see it in all it’s glory. Thanx Marshall👍🏻

Very cool old watch. Love the history. Thanks Marshall, as always, a fun journey. Good Fortunes and Great Successes 🫡

If only these old watches could speak to us. What kind of interesting stories could they tell us.

A US soldier get a private German watch from a german market from a WWII Batlefield. Great story. The winner takes it all. And the name of the original owner is noticed in the watch.

Seeing it come apart is so cool! Seeing it get reassembled is STAGGERING! You can probably count on two hands how many people could do it...Thanks for the upload..

You gotta find something with keyed works instead of keyless works. Seems like a fun challenge

I just got into watch collecting. I've loved watches since I was young but I never had anyone teach me or bring deeper into the world. amzwatch brought closer to a community and hobby I always wanted to get into more and that is incredibly meaningful to me !

I'd love to see more information on the escapement mechanism. I'm not at all familiar with ones that don't use a pallet fork. Also, there is a community that is making the leather straps for old pocket watches. I inherited a pocket watch and am planning to make one. The instructional videos are on RU-vid.

That movement. I was amazed because I've gotten so used to seeing the usual movements you work on and this is nothing like those. Wow.

Great watch and video Marshall! Regarding the difficulty in setting, my understanding is that railroad certification was an important design consideration and to get that there was a requirement that setting the time required more steps than just using the winding stem to prevent the time from being accidently changed while winding the watch.

This one and it’s story and the keeper of the heirloom are all my favorite story so far. I cannot believe his own family has no interest it! A battle worn WWII pocket watch with a handmade leather wrist conversion?!? I MEAN COME ON!!! WHAT IS WRONG WOTH YOU PEOPLE?!??? 😂💕

Super enjoyed this one! I just worked on an extremely similar movement. Mine just had a small seconds on it. Your solution to that dang cannon pinion was way more elegant than mine.

Too late now but can't wait to watch this first thing in the morning. Love your work

The silver colored plate with two holes on top of the 1st wheel is threaded and you need to unscrew that to get the wheel and barrel out. This kind of movement was the first i ever worked on, and had to do a makeshift tool to remove it, though you can also use the ends of tweezers for it, if you're careful (and probably best not to use your favorite pair). I wasn't able to remove the pinion gear with my tools either, but it never occurred to me to give it a tap.

I loved this repair. My wife has one very similar. Her great granmothers. It needs a new balance staff. I love for it to be fixed.

Nice pocket watch.........I always thought it safer to run the watch down before removing balance. You have an excellent way of explaining step by step disassembly of work you undertake ( comment from England )

Awesome as Always Thank you for another great vid Pleasure to watch and learn

This is a fascinating presentation. The dexterity and knowledge of tools and function is amazing to me. I would like to understand watch movements better. Thank you for this opportunity.

That was really fun! It was really good to see something so different. I had to re-watch a few times to get some of the assembly but yeah. Awesome! Thanks Marshall!

I just bought my first time pice relic® mens gunmetal automatic skeleton watch zr11853 you have me addicted unfortunately I will never beable to work on them I suffer from tremors and I am only 38 and it only gets worse as I age but I love love watching your videos also suffer from extreme anxiety and watching you helps block it out I am going to watch everything you have uploaded so happy I found your channel

Horn is a fairly common German name. It was pleasantly satisfying to see the makers German heritage. Very cool watch.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful video on RU-vid: 👍👌👏!

Great video; that leather band is as interesting as the pocket watch.

Amazing watch and holder. Sad story...feel bad for the family of the person who didn't get to leave the battlefield.

Hi Marshal, I was at the National Watch and Clock Collectors museum in Columbia today. They have three if these watches in their collection. They are displayed in with early ladies wristwatches.

STUNNING dial/font

I just got my kit from your site that included the movement & tools. I'm already in love, I can't wait to start taking this apart when my movement holder arrives, the ST36 is beautiful. Thanks foe the kit, Marshall. As always, loved the video

That band is really well thought-out! The only hardware is the buckle, but it hold the watch secure and protects it without restricting the crown.

Neat piece and restoration . I had not seen a configuration like that. Thanks for bringing us in this restoration.

Marshall, Love the videos. This is the second watch I’ve noticed that you didn’t oil the main spring.

An awesome presentation. Great little watch.

Reminds me of the Breguet pocket watch you did a while back. Great timepiece

Very interesting watch. Cylinder escapements are cool, but once you work on a few, you realize how lever escapement is better. Thanks for showing us.

WOW. what an insane piece.

Nice timepiece, classic. Great restoration. Not big into pocket watches, but have some. One of my favorites is a smallish sterling silver pocket watch, with original velvet lined case. Engraved to the nun the watch was gifted to. Lovely working timepiece from the turn of another century.

That dial is amazing... prly one of my favorites I've seen on this channel

Hello Marshall. I’ve been following you for a while and decided to putz around with some old watches. Someone gave me a mess of watches, mostly baterried , but there is one that is mechanical. It functions beautifully, as far as I can tell. The face of the watch was pretty messed up (the crystal), and I remembered that I had an old French nail polishing buffer with three progressively finer sides. I don’t know if you have used one of the before but I thought it might be an interesting item to add to one of your lesser kits. Thanks for doing what you do.

An old pocket watch is very easy to use and enjoy on an everyday basis. Find a suitable dome or stand and they look very good on a table, writing desk or shelf just about anywhere. Regards :- )

As you said, the things this watch must have survived through, thanks for sharing another epic journey.

History is my absolute favorite, especially the items people used back in the 1800s early 1900s

Can’t beat gold polished Roman numerals that sparkle like jewels in the sunlight. Loving the sun ray dial man that pops! MAMACOO watches. What a beautiful subtle piece.

Been watching your videos for a while now and was inspired to start a collection. Started with the MAMACOO, its specs for price and clean looks, now am looking for a dress watch to add.

I do not understand how you have the patience to put each tiny piece back together again.

These sort of configurations are more common than you would think. The base watch was originally intended as a ladies pendant watch, but they became common wear with WW1 soldiers due their compact size (with added leather housing strap or basic wire lugs soldered onto the case for the strap. WW1 also caused a significant need for wristwatches also in the civilian life, as factory workers, who were mostly women, could not wear pendant watches due to them posing a hazard in factory environments, so these leather housings were also seen in civilian use too. Due to how fashion changed and actual wristwatches becoming more common in the 1920s, pendant watches fell out of fashion, which made them a significantly cheaper alternative for a WW2 soldier, or anyone on a budget. The leather housing might not been made specifically for the specific watch, as there was a fair amount of industry for making these leather housings. Some fancier pendant watch wrist housings were even made of metal like nickel-alloy or brass. Your example with the cylinder escapement was most likely also a "budget" model from FHF, due to how Swiss-lever (and English-lever before that) had already gotten a foothold in the market, making cylinder "outdated". Which is true in a way, because cylinders had rather awful accuracy, especially if the watch was jostled around all the time, like pocket and wristwatches tend to do. This one does have the big luxury feature of the time, they keyless winding at least. Still, Cylinder escapement was a huge improvement back in the day in the early 1700s, when it rapidly replaced the even worse verge escapement. Cylinders are just a huge pain trying to repair these days though.

I've been eager to watch you repair a cylinder escapement. This is a treat for me.

Oh yes! Going to enjoy this after work 😊

Another great restoration. What a beautiful watch. Best wishes from Virginia!,

Interesting time piece, story and restoration ... and ... therapeutic for me. Thank you ❤.

In the Uk, we refer to this kind of movement as a pin set. Great video Marshall, as always.

Very nice mate... whatta watch!

Wow! So beautiful.

Great restoration and video!

I have this same watch with a damaged cylinder in the escapement. Belonged to my grandfather. Someday I will find someone to repair it. Your channel is more entertaining than the Lockpicking Lawyer. Amazing.

LOVE that dial... And what a piece of history!

Imagine the stories that this watch could tell !

That type of conversion strap was common with piolets in WW1 before wrist watches were common. A pocket watch is not easily used when flying a plane, especially the ones used in the great war.

Cool Watch. Nice lesson

Danke! Bis jetzt die interessanteste Uhr und das interessanteste Armband! Ich liebe Uhren mit Zylinderhemmungen und besitze auch einige alte Uhren mit dieser Hemmung! Natürlich funktionieren alle!

Great video , gorgeous watch .

I'm tired, new wristwatch revival? Oh go on then!

That dial is absolutely beautiful.

Pretty!!! Interesting!

Absolutely fascinating

Amazing work on a fantastic relic. If only it could talk!

Interesting watch, and strap. Great videos. Thanks for the effort and care you put in.

I love the face of this watch. It's just about my favorite face style of all time.

It may have been a trophy, perhaps taken from an opposing combatant? Beautiful watch....

Now I really want to hear from Patreon Mel to see if he knows who Ellie Horn is. I think the story as to how his dad came into possession would be fascinating. I was originally thinking maybe it was Mel's grandmother or even great grandmother's watch but the fact he states his father brought it home with him from WW2 makes me think it was maybe gifted to him from one of his squaddie buddies for some heroic act or something. This watch sure still has a story to tell. Great restoration of such a beautiful timepiece Marshal 👍

That was a war trophy pulled from the "field". Its been a family heirloom in Germany and now its a family heirloom somewhere far away.

Looks like that leather strap would make a great airtag case

I have an late 1890s 18s Phenix pocket watch with a similar movement. As for the gear above the barrel, the two holes on top of the gear are what you insert a special tool or if you have a pair of tweezers that are strong enough, it's actually a cap screw that once removed allows you to remove the gear. That watch is also a pin set style watch. If you look just off on the side of the movement you will see piece of rounded metal that has a notch cut out of one end that can slide in and out of the movement, that is the pin set. And pressing it and turning the crown is what you do to set the time.