Jim with watch

Jim examines the movement of my 1930s watch.
Thank you, Jim, for disassembling my watch.
I was horrified when he opened the case of this precious family heirloom, but it’s keeping steady time now and I am wearing it frequently to keep it warm and alive, as he suggested.
I don’t know much about the watch, which was passed down to me recently. It belonged to my great-aunt Lucy who lived in Chicago. The case is an Art Deco design with gems and pink gold. Jim’s eagle eyes read the name on the discolored face: Helena, and found letters scratched into the inside of the case.
I don’t know if I can get the face cleaned up without losing the enameled numerals. But if it’s keeping good time, I might not bother. The dark patina is proof of its age. And don’t we all show some of that ourselves?
(P.S. Happy birthday, Jim.)