Where and/or how does a man wear a pocket-watch-chain ornament? Does
it attach to the watch-chain at the watch end, at the waistcoat
buttons or, presuming that the chain is looped through the buttons and
over into the other fob pocket, does it attach at the far end of the
chain? I have such an ornament consisting of a gold bauble and two
black silk ribbons attached to a spring clip much like the clip
attaching the chain to the watch itself.

Greetings!  I have located an explanation of how to wear a watch chain
from LivingVictorian.com located at
http://www.livingvictorian.com/askrenipm/askrenijuly00.html

"There are several traditional ways to wear a pocket watch, chain and
fob. Without having a picture or knowing the length of your chain,
it's hard to visualize it's purpose.

"If you were to wear your watch in a vest pocket, the chain would swag
to the button hole and a bar on the end would slip through the hole
(like a cufflink) to hold it in place. A longer chain would swag again
from the vests' button hole, to the other pocket. A fob (or charm)
would be attached on the end, and placed in the pocket for weight and
balance.

"Short flat "fob chains" might be worn in lapel pockets with the fob
draped out.

"An extra pocket placed in trousers is a uniquely American way to
carry a watch.

"If you place a large spring ring on the opposite side of the chain,
you can hook it to the belt loop.

"The Dover Publishing Company Inc. reproduces catalogs from the
Victorian period that include gentlemen's fashions. American Jewelry
Manufacturers, by Dorothy T. Rainwater, Schiffer Publishing 1988, is a
good reference book showing catalog pages from many different
manufactured watch chains."


Also, on the web page
http://www.jewelry-antiques.com/estatejewelryv.htm there is a picture
of a watch chain (with an explanation on how to wear it) that reads:

"The longer chain adjusts by sliding through the "O" ring in the
center drop. There are two spring rings for added charms, lockets,
key, etc. The swivel hook is, of course, for the watch. The "T" bar at
the top fits through a buttonhole in the vest or shirt, for a secure
fit. The watch and whatever you add to the round spring ring then slip
into the vest or shirt pockets. This may seem simple to those of you
who either wear a watch chain or have seen them worn, but many people
are confused as to what goes where."

It maybe that by seeing the image with the instructions, you will
understand better how to wear your chain, and also to see if it is
complete, and perhaps the spring rings mentioned above were the
forerunner of the "keychain."  I hope this information proves of
assistance in your quest, and I think you will be quite the dapper
gentleman sporting a pocketwatch in such a romantic fashion.


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