Hopalong Cassidy - NOS Replacement Strap

[JerseyMo]

No, I don't collect the vintage character watch series made by US Time and Timex.  But I have restored a number of them and typically the strap is missing or well worn.  Some had very distinct straps and trying to find a suitable replacement is not easy.  Ah but, what if you could find a NOS?  Not so easy to do and I thought I never come across one for the Hopalong Cassidy.

You know the one with the big buckle and metal tip.  Than I get in a huge NOS lot from a retired salesman and found this >>>>

 

Edited April 5, 2019 by JerseyMo
typo

[Tmuir]

Now thats got to be a rare item, probably worth more than the watch it would go with.

[diveboy]

thats a great find!

 

[Davey57]

Some things are just meant to be and that strap had your name on it. Well done!

Is it just me but, somehow I feel a little sad when I have to separate the strap from an old watch that have been together for goodness knows how many years. I have just stood in front of the waste bin with the strap from a watch that has been worn to the point it had assumed the shape of the owners wrist. The fastening hole was elongated by many years of use. I felt genuinely guilty about letting it finally drop into the bin. I can’t help but think about the person who might have owned it, the places it has been and the stories it could tell. I think I must be getting more sentimental with age.

[AndyHull]

3 hours ago, Davey57 said:

Some things are just meant to be and that strap had your name on it. Well done!

Is it just me but, somehow I feel a little sad when I have to separate the strap from an old watch that have been together for goodness knows how many years. I have just stood in front of the waste bin with the strap from a watch that has been worn to the point it had assumed the shape of the owners wrist. The fastening hole was elongated by many years of use. I felt genuinely guilty about letting it finally drop into the bin. I can’t help but think about the person who might have owned it, the places it has been and the stories it could tell. I think I must be getting more sentimental with age.

You could, of course, attempt to restore the strap. Some of the leather ones I've encountered did actually restore quite nicely.

I even re-stitched a couple of them. Others however are so badly worn that they are beyond hope.

[Davey57]

Yes I have rescued one or two, but some are so disgustingly ingrained with “stuff” I could not bring myself to use them.

[JerseyMo]

1 hour ago, Davey57 said:

Yes I have rescued one or two, but some are so disgustingly ingrained with “stuff” I could not bring myself to use them.

yep, as with all straps and bands there can be some seriously funky stuff growing in there!  

[luiazazrambo]

I have recently restored a few of these Hopalong Cassidy watches. This one came from someone who bought it as a boy at the end of the 50s for Christmas. I am jealous!  

Edited May 27, 2021 by luiazazrambo

[JerseyMo]

looks great

 

[magic2020]

Got one just like that as a present in 1956  (I'm 75), but hesitant to do anything with it in case I fail miserably!

Maybe one day?

[luiazazrambo]

I cant say I had no difficulties. I was ready with the one you can see on the pics once then i was checking its performance on the timing machine it looked brilliant so i tried to regulate it while i was working from home. Just a light touch with my tweezers reaching it over my computer.... my tweezers slipped and i literally destroyed the HS. I was so sick I could not revisit it for about two days. I sourced another HS and as far as I remember I also ruined the pin pallet while I tried to clean it so I had to source that too. (the pins were stuck in rodico and the rodico pulled one of them out when I tried to lift the fork up, i put the pin back but it was not tight enough anymore) You can buy ladies watches with M21 on eBay for about £2-£4 as a donor movement. I have serviced another M21 since this one and another two M22s are on my desk. Just like with anything else everything gets easier/quicker to handle if you practice it. Originally I could not even imagine how to put the main plate back and now I don't even consider it as a difficult task, it usually goes back all right for the first try.

Edited May 28, 2021 by luiazazrambo

[luiazazrambo]

11 hours ago, magic2020 said:

Got one just like that as a present in 1956  (I'm 75), but hesitant to do anything with it in case I fail miserably!

Maybe one day?

If you need advice or parts let me know I am going to try to help you the best I can. Take care.