After my mother passed away last year (at 95), I found a pocket watch in the corner of a box with lots of other stuff. No glass although miraculously the hands were still present, fairly battered silver case, key wind. Didn't look particularly inspiring.

BUT I found it was my Grandpa's because he had had it engraved inside the case - G A Ratcliffe, Beeston, Notts. I also looked at the face - A W Watch Co, Waltham Mass. - and the serial number - 8085152. And here's the amazing thing - within 10 minutes of logging on to the Web, I had most of the watch's history, thanks to some public spirited guys in the States and the UK who don't mind putting their research online for the benefit of others.

Turned out to be an "1883" model made in 1896. The watch was shipped over to the UK and received a case made in Birmingham in 1898 with an "AB" hallmark. This was Alfred Bedford, who just happened to be the manager of Waltham's UK office.

I bit the bullet and took it to a repairer - he had to put a plastic glass in as diameters vary so much and it's very difficult to get hold of the right size over here. Apart from that, all the watch needed was a clean and off it went - not bad for 113 years old! My man even threw in a new key.

So now it sits on our piano on a little stand. I know a little bit more about the US industrial revolution. I've seen lots of pictures of Waltham's factory, the streetcars waiting outside, and the various departments inside. Mainly though, I now have a good memory of my Grandpa every time I look up. And I try to keep it wound!