This watch was also in my tidy drawer and belonged to my Grandfather. This watch was with him the day he died in a mining accident in Derbyshire. His role was a pit foreman and he wasn't on shift this day but was called in as someone didn't turn up. During the shift there was a roof collapse which my Grandfather was caught under. The watch is sitting on its protective case with winder and chain which he attached it to his trousers/buttons. The case is badly dented on the rear from the fall but otherwise it is sound as still works. The watch itself is from the Elgin Watch Company which I have just found out is American, formed in1864. How my Grandfather came to own this in the depths of Derbyshire is a mystery. Feel more research coming on.
What a wonderful keepsake from your Grandfather and how tragic that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nicely positioned in the frame with good dof too.
What a very moving story padlock....the wrong place at the wrong time never better illustrated....how devastated your family must have been. such close knit communities would stick together & support each other but to have this watch plus dent is very precious.
What a wonderful thing, for your grandmother to have had this watch after the accident. I think it's very sad we don't use pocket watches any more. I love those Victorian ladies watches on long neck chains!!
This is lovely Padlock and I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandfather. Miners were a very special kind of people and it is so sad that because he stepped in to cover for someone else that he died. A really nice image
nice job getting this shot - geek fact - commercially watches are a real pain to photograph for advertising and are often shot with the glass removed to get a clean shot, or in specially built light boxes to remove the reflections from the front (my parents used to sell watches)
@shannejw Hi Shanne, Thanks for that, my take was stick on the desk top, light on for a bit more light and away we went. The camera was on a tripod and shutter release used.
gosh what a story. My grandfather looked after the pit ponies down a mine in the Rhonnda Valley. He died when my mother was 10 years old and I know very very little about him as it makes her sad to talk about him.
This is a real treasure that you have, for the watch itself, but mostly for the story attached to your grandfather. Thank you for sharing it. FAV and follow.
February 6th, 2014
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