Introduction: Derringer Duelist Steampunk Watch

By starboard sky leatherworks

Here's another instructable for one of my most popular watch builds. This is fresh from tonight so all steps and pics are included.

I have these for sale if you don't want to mess about building your own.

www.starboardsky.com

Step 1: Make the Blank

Take your donor watch from whatever tacky watch you want to transfer.

I cut my blank from some template plastic I got from hobby lobby. My template is 6 inches by 1.5 inches, which is great for a unisex wrist band.

I traced around my template on some 8-9 oz veggie tanned leather and cut it out, then I punched the insets with a 1 inch strap end punch.

After this I beveled the edges. You don't have to do this if you don't want to, but it makes for a nice finished edge in the end.

Step 2: Tooling/Stamping

Give your blank a surface wetting and stamp it up! I used tandy stamps in a western/steampunk motif as in the pics. While that's drying you can cut out your strap and buckle holder. I used a center bar half inch solid brass buckle. Cut one half inch strip about 3 inches long, then cut another about an inch and a half long. Use a strap end punch or just cut away the corners of these, then punch your holes. The buckle holder should have an oblong hole in the very center. Both straps should have their rivet holes punched at this point. You can attach your buckle and strap using double cap rivets without setting them permanently and check fitment. DON'T attach the buckle or strap yet!

Step 3: Dye Job

For the bullet loops, take a 3/4 inch oblong punch and punch out two holes as pictured. Now you can take your base and straps and dye them. I dyed the buckle holder and strap solid black, and used mahogany antique gel on the watch base. Buff it all out, then slick your edges using gum tragacanth and a slicker wheel. After all this, coat it all with super shene. DEM EDGES DOE

Step 4: Rivets and Bullet Loops

After it all dries, set the rivets in your buckle holder and strap. Next, cut a strip roughly 5.5 inches long and 3/4 inches wide for the bullet loops (assuming you're fitting .45 colt bullets.) Set a rivet in one side and start threading your bullet loop. Pull it through one hole, over a bullet, and back down again, then up through the next hole, over another bullet, and back down again. Pull the strap nice and tight, then cut off the excess. Punch your holes through the strap and base and set the rivet. Now that's done!

Step 5: Watch Attachment and Embellishment.

Now cut a couple little strips of leather about 1/2 inch wide and 1.5 inches long. Fold them over the watch band pins and punch a hole through them. Place this on the band and center it all up, then mark your holes to punch out. set your rivets to attach the watch mechanism.

Next, cut a brass rectangle roughly 3/4 by 1 inch. punch holes in the ends using a metal punch. Attach your embellishment to the brass plate using solder or epoxy, depending on it composition. Then set it to the band using rivets.

Optionally, you can leave the brass plate off and go with initials or something, provided you did them before you applied the antique gel and whatnot.

Congrats, you're done! Now go out into the world and display your obvious superiority!

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