VICTORIAN ERA FOB WATCH & WINDING KEY

A Victorian Era Fob watch with a watch winding key hung with silver chains.

The watch fob was developed in Europe in the 16th century when Charles II of England introduced waistcoats to the masses. Watches at the time were well known to break from exposure to the elements, with the only way to keep them safe and away from potential risks being to carry them in the pocket of their waistcoat pocket. 

This led to an evolution of their shape that we recognize today among pocket watches, as it was rounded and flattened with no sharp edges to allow it to smoothly slide into a pocket.

The glass was added in 1610 to cover the face and the term watch fobs began to be used, with the term coming from the German word ‘fuppe’, which meant a ‘small pocket’.

They flourished during the mid-18th century, especially in America and England until World War I, when the wristwatch was invented..

Flew Designs is the brand founded by local Melbourne-based jeweler and sculptor, Susie Lewis.