Antique Timepiece Support Spindle No.194 - Steampunk Tahkli Style, c1900 Swiss Engraved Silver Pocket Watch Dial - Free Shipping (US Only)

Antique Timepiece Support Spindle No.194: One-of-a-Kind Steampunk Design - Tahkli Style, Circa 1900 Swiss Made Engraved Sterling Silver with Gold Wash Pocket Watch Dial

WEIGHT: 1.5oz. (44g), WHORL: 1.48” (38mm) diameter, SHAFT: - this is the smaller of the 2 that I make = .102" (2.6mm) dia. x 7.75" (19.7cm) length in Metallic Enchanted Rose

- NO-HOOK OPTION - Choose Option in Drop Down Menu - REMOVES 1/2" from total shaft length

This is a medium weight, very well balanced, larger diameter, and very long spinning spindle that will be wonderful for spinning a wide variety of short and longer staple fibers.

Made from 15 individual pieces, the centerpiece of this spindle is a gorgeous work of art - a circa 1930 pocket watch dial that is Swiss made, snap on lever Fusee type, sterling silver with floral engraving and a gold washed finish. The dial is adorned with antique and vintage watch gears and a Swarovski crystal rhinestone - then coated in a thick layer of epoxy resin for a no-snag/long life finish. The dial is mounted to the whorl consisting of one acrylic disc, a US copper clad Kennedy half dollar, a raw polished brass filigree pendant that will get darker/tarnish over time, a crystal spacer, and gold and silver plated findings - all mounted to one of my signature Metallic Enchanted Rose powder-coat painted high-carbon steel shafts with a heat forged hook. All components are assembled with an industrial 2-part epoxy adhesive.

HISTORY of SWISS MADE WATCHES: The Swiss became dominant watchmakers following the religious upheavals of the early 16th century when wars forced civilians to become refugees and flee across the European continent. Some of these refugees moved to Switzerland, especially Geneva and took their watchmaking expertise with them. Of note, French Huguenots fled persecution in France and brought with them their watchmaking knowledge and a ban on gold jewelry in the city of Geneva, Switzerland drove the goldsmiths and jewelers to turn to watchmaking as an alternative instead of escaping the city.  Unlike gold jewelry, watches were not banned and resulted in a lucrative market for the jewelers. The Swiss watch industry greatly expanded from these circumstances and thus the Swiss industry was born.

A wide variety of Swiss (analog watch – Circa 1600 - 1950) watch movements were made from the ornately hand carved and pierced gilt brass movements to less decorated and utilitarian brass and nickel plated alloy movements. Dials were also made in a very wide variety of designs - including fancy silver and gold alloys with ornate carvings, full color/hand painted polychrome works of art on porcelain enamel, common white and colored porcelain enamel dials with hand painted and silkscreen printed numerals and markings, and more basic plated base metal dials.

FREE SHIPPING - US ONLY - via USPS Ground Advantage Package service w/tracking and insurance. Ships from Tucson, AZ USA

INTERNATIONAL & UPGRADED SHIPPING AVAILABLE: Customer pays 100% of shipping charges for these options

All spindles are hand crafted in Tucson, AZ, by John Galen Gudenkauf (owner/artist) with US and Globally made Materials.