16. Upcycled Vintage Watch Movement Steampunk Pendant
There is an incredible, intricate beauty hidden inside non-functioning vintage mechanical watches. By salvaging the brass gears, ruby jewels, and textured steel plates of old watch movements, you can create a fascinating, historically rich conversation piece.
Materials Needed:
- One vintage mechanical pocket watch or wristwatch movement (internal gears intact)
- Ornate pendant tray that matches the diameter of the movement
- Two-part crystal clear resin or jewelry glue
- Antique bronze or gunmetal chain
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Extract the Movement: Carefully remove the internal mechanical movement from its old, damaged outer casing using small screwdrivers. Clean away any old grease using a soft brush dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
- Fit the Tray: Test-fit the round movement into your decorative pendant tray. If it fits snugly, remove it to apply your adhesive.
- Secure the Movement: Apply several drops of strong jewelry glue or mixed epoxy inside the bottom of the tray. Press the watch movement deep into the setting, ensuring the most visually interesting gears face upward.
- Optional Resin Seal: For a sleek, smooth finish, you can pour a crystal-clear layer of UV resin completely over the exposed gears to encase them forever under a smooth dome, or leave them raw for tactile texture. Connect to a dark gunmetal chain.