Pocket Watch Wall Clock from a Picture Frame

Pocket Watch Wall Clock from a Picture Frame

This multi photo frame was unusual enough to catch my eye at the thrift store. Right off the bat, it reminded me of a vintage pocket watch with its multiple round spots for clock faces. Of course, when the cashier remarked how unique the frame was and I mentioned the pocket watch familiarity that I was feeling, she looked at me like I was crazy. But that’s ok- I’m used to that by now. All I knew was that I planned to turn it into a pocket watch wall clock (albeit a fake one) to hang on the wall!

round picture frame

See what I mean, though? It really does look like a vintage pocket watch.

And with a little makeover magic, I could transform it into the idea of steampunk wall decor that I had in mind.

multi photo frame

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Upcycling a Round Picture Frame into Steampunk Wall Decor

First things first, I had to disassemble the multi photo frame, which was pretty simple and easy.

I unscrewed the top ring, and simply popped out the little frames. They consisted of a brass-tone metal ring, a convex plastic cover, and paper/cardboard backing.

making a pocket watch wall clock

I wiped everything down and gathered some paint. I wanted to use a dark metallic bronze for the wooden frame itself, and an antiqued brass paint to brush on the metal rings.

The metal rings didn’t NEED to be painted, but I wanted to brighten them up so that they would pop against the darker wood.

painting the industrial wall decor

When all the painting was said and done, this is how everything looked. Now I could really transform it into a vintage pocket watch to use as steampunk wall decor.

metallic paint for steampunk wall decor

Now. To make it look like a pocket watch wall clock, I was going to need a bunch of watch faces that were the perfect size. That meant that using the real thing was pretty much out of the question.

Yes, I could have hunted on Etsy for vintage watch faces that fit the frame, but I decided to go in an easier direction.

I turned to the next best thing- vintage clock face clipart or printables!

vintage clock face clipart

First, I saved the vintage clock faces from that website to my computer before resizing them to fit the frame. I also added arrows as “hands” in my photo editing program.

Now they were ready to be printed and inserted into the picture frame!

From there, it was just a matter of cutting them out and re-assembling each mini-frame inside the larger multi photo frame. 

vintage clock face clipart in a picture frame

It was starting to really look like a vintage pocket watch! Then, I continued working my way around the picture frame until each opening had been filled.

Pocket Watch Wall Clock from a Picture Frame

And. That. Was. It! My upcycling idea for steampunk wall decor was done!

pocket watch to for industrial wall decor

It was almost worth me driving back to that thrift shop to show the cashier. But then she’d REALLY think I was crazy, so I’d better not. 

But ultimately, I was thrilled with how my DIY (and fake) version of a pocket watch wall clock turned out.

pocket watch wall clock

Isn’t it so cool? To be be perfectly honest, I don’t have a lot of steampunk decor in our home. But I just had to see if I could make my idea come to life. 

pocket watch wall clock from a picture frame

If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for a vintage pocket watch, then you’ll love this collection of repurposing projects as industrial home decor!

industrial decor

Craft on!

S

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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.

Comments

  1. When I looked at the finished project, before reading how you made it, I actually thought the clocks/watch faces were real! Good job!!

  2. You did it again, what a great and unique idea! Love it!

  3. O M G. I love it! And, if you can’t find a place for it at your house, I sure can in mine. :o)

  4. Laura Werley says

    A very clever mind you have! I love the funkiness of the clocks. I wish I had your computer skills to figure out the re-sizing and the addition of the hands, but maybe I should practice. What program did you use to work with the images? Thanks for another great upcycling project. And I had to smile at the store photo with the frame next to a crockpot. Is your Goodwill really that jumbled?

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Thanks, Laura! I use picmonkey (the paid version- but there’s a less-exciting free version, as well). Not all of my Goodwills are that jumbled…but this one sure was!

  5. It reminds me of those displays showing the times in different time zones. Cute.

  6. Well if you’re too shy about showing that cashier how your vision unfolded, I would definitely slip her your business card during the next visit. She’ll be so impressed with what you create with THEIR stuff that word will surely get around among everyone who works there and so on and so on. Pinned because it’s so dang cute!

  7. Debra A Wise says

    It’s so uniquely you! You always amaze me with your vision and creativity! Great job.

  8. You did it again, girl! Love it! I bet your thrift shop gets a lot of crazy customers. Next time, ask her if she left her imagination at home that day!!

  9. You are so creative! I never would have thought of that. Now I want to find a frame just like it!

  10. vickie l obrien says

    Sadie,
    that is so cute!!!! Surely you have some place in your home to display!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Thank you, Vickie! It’s actually on its way to the gal who bought it! I’m trying to be better about selling more of my projects. 🙂

  11. When I saw the first photo, I thought they were real pocket watches! What a great DIY!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Right?? Those pics from EPBOT were perfect because they look real, especially since I downsized them for my project. Thank you so much!

  12. Brilliant! Love the way you think!

  13. Barbara Redman says

    Fantastic . . . the wheels are turning . . . . wouldn’t this be a great Mother’s Day gift? . . . . I can see the time on each of the clocks as the time of her children’s births . . . . or an anniversary gift with the times of the wedding and special events throughout their lives . . . . yes, wheels turning!

  14. So, so awesome. EVERY. DARN. TIME. Love it!

  15. Sue Pagels says

    I love pocket watches and especially love your vision!

  16. Ridiculously clever and awesome! You have me brainstorming over what I can print out and use now!

    I’ve featured you in this upcoming weekend’s DIY Salvaged Junk Projects. Thanks for linking up! 🙂

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Thank you, sweet friend! I’m so sorry I’ve been less reliable about your link party of late. I’ve gotten lax in my link party participation, LOL. Appreciate the feature more than you know!

  17. This is truly amazing you are so talented.
    Maria

  18. Love this. My children are living in different parts of the world so I imagine this is showing cities around the world / the different time zones

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