The Double Albert style pocket watch chain, like the Albert chain, is named after Prince Albert (1819-1861), husband of the UK's Queen Victoria. This style of chain features two longer "arms" and a shorter centralized "drop," to which a small object is attached, such as a charm, fob, or locket. The pocket watch is then attached to one arm of the chain, while the second arm is reserved for a large fob, such as a pocket knife, watch key, compass, cigar cutter, or fraternal symbol charm. Watches aren't usually attached to both arms of the Double Albert, except occasionally in dealer or display photos. Although available in different lengths, the chains are meant to be worn draped as opposed to pulled taught.
Note: although the watches in the following photos are shown half-out-of-pocket, this is merely to illustrate the attachment of the chain to the watch. Pocket watches should be worn entirely inside the pocket, ideally within a velvet or thin leather pouch for protection.
[click on any of the below photos for an enlarged view]
Spring Rings:
The spring ring is the most straightforward means of attaching the pocket watch chain to the wearer's garment. It is a more modern form of connection than the t-bar and has a diverse set of methods for use. Larger rings can be attached to a buttonhole (on a vest or shirt), can be clipped around the belt loop on jeans or pants or can be used to attach the chain to itself after being looped around the wearer's belt.
Some of the larger spring rings feature a "chain guard," which is a protrusion that prevents rotation of the ring in the buttonhole, or functions to keep different attachments separate on the ring. Smaller rings, typically found on lighter weight chains, can be attached around the thread behind a button. This method of attachment emulates a t-bar style of display with the additional security found with the spring ring clasp.
On the second photo example immediately below (where the spring ring is attached directly to the wearer's shirt), the "drop" is a slide on the main chain (which forms the two "arms"); in this circ*mstance, the arms are meant to be of equal length (symmetrical) to the two pockets.
Double Albert Chain with Spring Ring (Vest)
Double Albert Chain with Spring Ring (Shirt)
Double Albert Chain with Spring Ring (Pants)
T-Bars:
The t-bar, made to be passed through a buttonhole, is the earliest form of connection between the pocket watch chain and the wearer's vest or shirt; it predated the spring ring and various clips used afterwards.
Fancy or ornate t-bars tend to be worn from the inside-out (to make visible and display the t-bars); standard t-bars are usually worn outside-in (so they aren't visible, as shown below).
Double Albert Chain with T-Bar (Vest)
Double Albert Chain with T-Bar (Shirt)
Lobster-Claw Clips & Belt Clips:
The lobster-claw style clip is a very modern form of pocket watch chain connection, as it was introduced well after the t-bar, spring ring, and other belt clips. This style of clip is most often used to attach the chain to a belt loop, as pictured in the first photo.
Belt clips are also used to attach pocket watch chains. The second photo here show a "pressure-fit" clip that was introduced in the middle of the 20th century; this will hang the chain similarly to the lobster claw finding.
Double Albert Chain with Lobster-Claw-Style Clip
Detail of Belt Clip
Pocket watch chains have also found use among women; during the 1990's, more ladies began to wear Double Albert (and "Single" Albert) style chains as necklaces, using fobs, lockets, and other jewelry items as pendants on the chain's ends. The chain is fastened around the wearer's neck by connecting the swivel clasp from one of the arms (normally used to attach a watch or fob) to another section of the chain. In general, chains worn in this manner should be at least 15" long for a short choker style, and 16" or longer for a looser necklace. Watches worn as pendants for this style should be of a small size, and are usually worn as much for decoration as for their use in keeping time.
Ladies' Uses (Spring Rings):
In the three photos below, the primary spring ring (which, for men's styles, would be used to connect the chain to the wearer's garment) is employed to attach a locket, while a small pocket knife has been attached to the chain's drop. As the pictures demonstrate, Double Albert chains used as necklaces may be worn short, long, or with an additional item (in this case, a small pocket watch) connected to one of the chain's swivel clasps as a pendant.
Double Albert Chain with Spring Ring (as woman's short necklace)
Double Albert Chain with Spring Ring (as woman's long necklace)
Double Albert Chain with Spring Ring (as woman's short necklace, with watch)
Ladies' Uses (T-Bars):
The three photos below show a Double Albert chain used as a necklace with the chain's t-bar (which, for men's styles, would be used to attach the chain to the wearer's garment) featured as its own component of the jewelry. As the pictures demonstrate, Double Albert chains used as necklaces may be worn short, long, or with an additional item (in this case, a small pocket watch) connected to one of the chain's swivel clasps as a pendant.
Double Albert Chain with T-Bar (as woman's short necklace)
Double Albert Chain with T-Bar (as woman's long necklace)
Double Albert Chain with T-Bar (as woman's short necklace, with watch)
Additional Notes:
Regardless of the method used to attach the chain to the wearer's vest, shirt, or pants, the bow of the pocket watch is attached to the chain with a small swivel clasp that allows the watch to rotate and keeps the chain from twisting. These swivels are findings that are traditionally used with pocket watches on most vintage pocket watch chains. As opposed to many of the more modern styles, these do not have any small latches to pull back but rather part of the oval "clip" section depresses into the finding, allowing you to slip in your pocket watch bow or fob lanyard. Once released, it has a small internal spring that closes the oval loop back up and prevents whatever is clipped from accidentally coming out without your intervention.
A pocket watch can be worn on either side of the body depending on the preference of the wearer. For instance, many right-handed wearers may have their pocket watch on the left side of the body; this allows for winding with the right hand while holding the watch with the left. However, a right-handed wearer may instead choose to keep the watch on the right for ease-of-use when pulling and returning the watch to a pocket as well.
As a rule of thumb, on an average-build male, we suggest Double Albert chains 20" or shorter for heights under 5'8", 18" to 30" for heights 5'8" to 6'2" and 24" or longer for heights over 6'2".
We are also in the process of collecting photos of pocket watch chain fashion and ideas, which can be easily viewed on the following Pinterest Board. Please let us know if you have any photos to contribute!
Related Products:
Vintage Mens Pocket Watches
Vintage Ladies Pocket Watches
Double Albert Pocket Watch Chains
Pocket Watch Chain Fobs
More "How To Wear" watch chain pages:
Straight Watch Chains
Albert Watch Chains
Ribbon-Style Watch Chains
Other Styles Of Watch Chains
More Ladies' Styles For Watch Chains
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