| Navigate up Family History Navigate sideways Parents Father's parents Father's siblings Mother's parents Mother's siblings Father Mother Brother Sister Index of names |
The only thing I own that can properly be called an heirloom is Grandad's gold watch, with fob and T-bar. The chain has a slightly different history: see the "Father's siblings" page under Auntie Polly.
I doubt the watch is worth much. It is of a type I have often seen in stores selling antique jewelry and timepieces. It is, though, made of gold – it's as heavy as a brick – and has a very nice face (enamel, I think). The back opens up, then opens up again, to reveal some of the works. As well as the usual goldsmith's stamps, there are some faintly scratched jeweler's notes inside the inner back cover, apparently related to maintenance. The number 74431 is engraved here too, and also appears on the inner frame.
The fob, which is made of Welsh gold, says "O.B.C. 1908" on the front. On the back it has "Captain's Prize won by R.D. Derbyshire." I think this refers to a bowling club Grandad belonged to. (That would be the old English open-air game of bowls, not American ten-pin bowling.) However, this is only a guess. "Oakengates Bowls Club"?
Grandad's watch, fob and T-bar.
Grandad's watch, from the back, opened.
Grandad's watch, again from the back and opened, showing the double back cover.