Sterling & Ironwood Watch Bracelet Set with Lone Mtn Spider Web Matrix Turquoise

Mill-rolled ingot silver sheet was hand cut, chisel scored and filed to create the fabricated sculpture forming this unique hinged cuff.  Dark chocolate hued ironwood was carved for the fitted scroll inlay, creating a frame with an ornamental watch face bezel of silver.  Hand-drawn wire was meticulously soldered to a silver platform, to make the "picket fence" bezel for each of the two high grade natural Lone Mountain turquoise stones. 

At some point the original 1950's mechanical watch was replaced with a quartz unit.  The watch compartment was engineeered by Mr. Begay with a tracked silver panel that slides open for removal and replacment of the time piece.  The original was either a Timex or Caravelle.  

Conversion to a bracelet can be accomplished.

(1913-1977) Silversmith, jeweler and teacher, Kenneth Begay has been called the “father of modern Navajo jewelry”. In the early years his bold, modern designs were considered so radical that he was excluded from a 1949 exhibition of Native American art. Today his clean, elegant creations are seen in numerous museum collections including The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the American Museum of Natural History, as well as the Heard Museum.

Begay spent his most productive years (1948-1962) as a smith at the White Hogan in Scottsdale.  His son, Harvey Begay became another highly regarded jeweler and silversmith.