steelhipdesign:
The Metropolis - Capital City.
I see a lot of watch innards in my work. Using a disassembled movement, the “skeleton” of any watch, as the basis for a tiny city has been rolling around in my head for a long time. Most of the holes for the “buildings” are already there. I sometimes need to pop the “jewels” out, usually low grade rubies, so all the holes are available. Many of the “buildings” are seriously tiny, sub 1 mm wide and a few millimetres high. They can also be very sharp. My first attempt wasn’t great as I couldn’t get the “buildings” straight and parallel. Take two using putty hardened before installing all the “buildings”. Third time’s the charm. A little futuristic city with a range of buildings, tiny details and a central “lake” using clear resin. You can’t really see it in the photos.
Here is the dilemma I faced:
It needed to be photographed without the glass so you can see the details, texture and how light plays off it at different angles. It is designed to be a pendant on a chain but for that use I have to stick down the glass dome permanently. If you want it as a piece of art, sculpture, desk ornament, assemblage - I can leave the glass unattached. If there was a way I could do both I would but I can’t see any way to do that using my current skills, supplies and equipment. If it’s displayed on a shelf close to eye level it would be great to keep the glass on to avoid dust but also be able to take the glass off to see all the minute detail. It will also get a lot of attention as a unique jewellery piece on a long chain.
So I leave that option to you - just let me know. It will be the same price for either option.
Components:
- Silver tone tubing - polished
- Two part putty
- Vintage silver tone watch movement
- Assorted watch stems
- Assorted watch bar springs
- Assorted winders
- Assorted balance staffs
- Earring posts
- Pins
- Electronic probes
- Clear resin
- Assorted tubing
- Miscellaneous parts
- Assorted crimps/beads
- Pinions
- Glass dome
- Brass disk
- Brass setting tray
- Eye up loop
Build time: 7 hours
Under the glass dome the pendant is just under 2 inches (4.5cm) high and 1 inch (2.4cm) wide. The chain would be brass gold tone rollo link at the length you would like to wear it at with a lobster claw clasp.
Thanks for looking!