Featured Unusual watch fob, how old and where is it from?

Hello all! Not jewelry as such but a watch fob. I'm hoping you can tell me if it is vintage or antique? It does look older but unsure. Bought recently at an auction. I have done a little research and the marking, "Garantie" is confusing me a bit. I have seen it associated with Germany but also France. One listing described it as Jakob Bengel but I'm not sure why. I don't think it is silver or perhaps a low grade. There may be another mark but I can't make it out. The stone in the middle is glass, what would you call the blue dot on one side, red on the other element? Any and all info appreciated. Thank you

 

Maybe French but I’m guessing.

 

Oh interesting! I hadn't thought of that, thank you

 

In your 4th photo I see some square symbols to the right of the word GARANTIE. Is there anything hidden beneath the link, to the right of the symbols? I wouldn't know how to interpret them, but maybe somebody else would.

 

Good idea! My pic is a little blurry but perhaps the other markings may look familiar to someone.

 

I have never seen glass like that center stone. Fantastic!

Curious if others have a name for that glass. Following this post!

 

Not a clue. It's costume, no questions there. I'm pretty sure that just means the design has a copyright on it. The word means Guarentee.

 

Very nice, Elen, unusual.

It is possible that it is a watch chain by Jakob Bengel. The Jakob Bengel company started in the 1870s, and they made many chatelaines, watch chains and fobs, before they became famous for Art Deco/Bauhaus galalith and chrome jewellery.

 

Can someone explain to me how this is used as a watch fob. I've been having trouble visualizing how it would work as such, but have finally decided to ask.

 

Found one like yours:



According to this German site it is a watch chain that is worn with German regional dress, and they say ca 1900 and silver plated:
https://schmuck.ag/Ketten--Uhrkette...g-Kette-Schmuck-Tracht-antik/a70347744_u8369/

I think Elen means watch chain, and maybe the photo I posted helps to visualize how it was worn.
On Elen's photo the two ends are joined, and it is probably missing one of those swivel clasps to attach to a watch.

 

Yes, I wanted to ask, too.
Even looking at @Any Jewelry 's attachment, I still don't get how the watch is connected.
It seems to me that perhaps it is a decorative piece only.....?

 

Like Any Jewelry wrote, it needs a swivel clasp at one end that attaches to a pocket watch. I think it's called a vest pocket watch chain. One end would attach to a button or buttonhole and the watch would go into the vest pocket...or some similar configuration.

 

Yes, and from one side of the vest to the other, so the chain part would hang in front of the stomach, with the decorative part in the centre.
The spring ring on one side, the pocket watch at the other end would go in the pocket on the other side.

I know how they are worn, but am having trouble finding a photo.

 

Kinda like a charavari.

Debora

 

Yes, a cross between a charivari and a double watch chain. From the late 19th century onward Central European dress often combined the two, the charivari being essential for good luck etc.

Below is a very simplified (modern) double watch chain, with this one the centre of the chain (with the Albert fob) has something that goes through one of the buttonholes:

 

Thanks for the example. Something I wasn't familiar with.

Debora

 

Thank you all so much for the information, you are so helpful and knowledgeable

 

I see a swivel hook...

 

It doesn't look like it swivels, but Elen has it in hand, she can tell us.

 

Yeah, it doesn't swivel, I also realise I should have taken pics with it unclasped