Give an Old Watch New Life for a Unique Accessory August 22, 2014My FashionOff

Recycling and repurposing old pieces of jewelry is extremely popular at the moment. If you have a piece of jewelry that has started to look shabby or no longer works as it should, don’t throw it away. You can turn it into a whole new piece with just a few new touches. Watches in particular are fun to restore, because you can replace the watch band, the face and even the hands. Instead of getting rid of an old watch, give it new life by restoring it and turning it into a unique accessory.

Give it a Clean
Cleaning your watch is the first thing you should do. You will be amazed by how much difference it makes. Your watch will go from looking old and tired to seeming almost as good as new. You can use a brass cleaner to clean a metal watch, though be aware it will remove a very thin layer of metal. Cleaning the crystal (the front) of the watch will have a big impact too. If there are scratches, it is probably better to have it replaced. However, if it is a plastic crystal and the scratches aren’t deep, you can take your watch to a jeweler and have the scratches removed.

Replace the Watch Band
Replacing the old watch band with a new one will immediately make your watch look newer. You may even have a watch that has lost its strap. From simple rubber straps to classy leather ones, buying watch bands such as Shinola watch bands to spruce up your old watch is easy. There are a number of materials you can use, either to create an authentic vintage look or to bring your watch into the modern age. A brand new strap combined with a clean and shiny watch with no scratches will make your watch look like a new purchase.

Don’t Use a Band
Instead of replacing the band, you could also hang your watch from something else. A necklace, for example, looks beautiful with a watch on it. It can be small and dainty or large and overstated. Bracelets also make good watches, with the watch dangling like a charm. You can add other items too to create a charm bracelet. You could also hang a watch from a chain and use it like a small open-faced pocket watch. If you’re feeling very adventurous, you could even attach your watch to a piece of clothing. But remember to have a way to remove it, so you can wash the clothing.

Fix It Up
Finally, if your watch is no longer working you may choose to have it fixed. Of course, you can just leave it broken and use it as a fashion accessory. If it’s a modern watch, you might just need to have the battery replaced. Older mechanical watches are a bit more complicated. You can learn to repair them yourself, but if you’re only repairing one watch, it’s best to leave it to a professional.

Photo by Shutterstock

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