One of the most common parts you saw wear and age to the watch was the case. This is where the "brassing" or "wear-through" could be seen but that was unavoidable unless you could afford solid gold, silver or nickel cases. Obviously the nickel one were a cheap option but not if you wanted the gold look. But with a solid gold watch you have the fact that gold is soft versus the chains you put on them.
Even gold filled cases had an issue of the gold wearing at the bow due to the swivel clasp on the chain. Chains were silver, gold, gold field or steel. No matter what though that swivel could rub the bow as you walked and when you put it in and out of your pocket. There was a solution though, bow protectors.
I am not sure when they first were used. I am sure though that the first ones would have been rather crude. A piece of scrap thin leather that someone poked a hole in with a knife or nail. There is little history I can find on the idea or the protectors themselves. They were leather and insignificant in looks so they would have been easily discarded like any old wrist watch band is these days.
After pocket watches fell out of favor and replaced by wristwatches they would have been relegated to drawers with the watches they use to carry. Over time leather drys or rots depending on conditions. After decades of pocket watches falling out of use the need died for bow protectors.
I have only 2 vintage examples of them as seen below.
They vary in design and I am always looking to find more examples. But they differ from the braided leather pocket watch chains. The leather strap/chain idea worked but if you had a nice chain, you wanted to show it off. So the bow protector was a good option too protect the bow and wear that ornate chain.
For some people, like railroad workers, a watch was a needed tool of the trade. It was not just something to look good but something of a precision tool. You would not spend a large amount of money on a high quality tool and leave it to kick around. They needed them to last and had a good amount of interest in protecting their investment.
These days, as I said earlier, the main users of pocket watches are collectors. Again there is a need to protect your investment. Some people have a "carry" watch which is of good quality but no worry about protecting its value as much. Then you have collectors that will spend a good deal on a pocket watch. While not a "carry" watch they would like to have the chance to carry it around and use it.
I thought about making some of the straps a few years ago but I am not a leather worker. But after spending a good amount every time I wanted a hand made wristwatch strap I decided to try and make my own wristwatch bands. I got good Horween leather, punches, wax thread, buckles, and all kinds of material together. My first band was awful.
But I kept trying and I made a few good looking ones for once. But in the process I had also bought some thinner softer leather to try as well. Turned out the leather was not thick enough in my opinion to be of much use for a wristwatch band. But then there was the pocket watch bow protector idea still hanging out there. I ordered a few more tools and supplies and came up with what you see below.
They are American sourced leather. I had only a choice of the 2 colors but that worked. I started by cutting each fully by hand and then hand hammer punching the holes. The ends were not regular and they still were not the best but after a bit I bought a hand punch and a new tool to get the ends found as they should be. Added the metal eyelets lie in the antique on I have and am happy the finished product.
With the idea of the Horween leather wristwatch bands there was excess leather from each band. I decided to give it a try. The leather is thicker and they are still a work in progress as the idea needs to evolve due to the thickness. So far my feedback has been good that they are working but I may modify the design to be a bit longer and maybe a bit more narrow. The ends need to accommodate smaller swivel clasps as well. No everyone has a big 18s with a big bow and a heavy chain. I may need to revisit the old ideas as a guide. What I currently make is below.
