18+ upcycle craft ideas for old watches that don’t work!
Recently, I thrifted a purse and when I got home I realized that it had several old watch faces in it! I have seen some steampunk-y creations where they pulled out the gears but wanted to find a few more options. Here is my list of ideas that I’ve come up with, I’d love to hear if you’ve seen anything else that you like! These ideas are a mix of changing the band, reusing the watch face, or removing the watch face altogether.
If you don’t have a pile of watches at home and you’re wondering where to *get* a bunch, consider posting on your local Buy Nothing group, check your local creative reuse center, look for a ‘watch lot for parts’ on ebay, or shopgoodwill.com!
If you like this post, check these out while you’re here:
- 25+ ways to refashion purses & bags
- 20+ upcycled purse tutorials
- 14+ broken jewelry crafts to make with repurposed vintage jewelry
- 10+ upcycled jar lid craft ideas
Pin this round-up of 18+ upcycle craft ideas for old watches that don’t work with this link or photo below – please click through to the original websites to repin individual photos!
18+ upcycle craft ideas for old watches that don’t work
Not all of these are tutorials, some are just inspiration! Please leave a comment if you’ve done something creative with a broken watch that I should share!
I think this beetle is so stunning and I find it really inspiring! See more of Amy's work on her instagram.
This is a fun upgrade if you have a watch face that still works but needs a new band - add a beaded band instead!
Another broken band fix - turning it into more of a carabiner/keychain to hang on your bag!
Another example of an upcycled watch animal- this time it's a scorpion with beaded accents (you could upcycle necklaces for that part, too!). See more of Amy's work on her instagram!
This one is both fun and functional- replacing a purse strap with several watches hooked together!
This sentimental upcycle turns the watch faces into frames for a charm bracelet!
The details on these little watch-clocks are amazing, look at the tiny pinecones like cuckoo clocks!! See more of Amy's work on her instagram!
Another cool sentimental idea, turning photos into a collage necklace with the watch frame.
Visit the post for more.
Not pictured:
- Fun upcycled sculptures from the watch gears and pieces
- Two different styles of upcycled watch pendants; both simple and deconstructed.
- I couldn't find an actual example, but I think they'd look great as part of a steampunk-esque trinket/charm belt.
- More insect inspiration.
- Mix in some jewelry and jazz up a purse.
- Turn a bunch of watch faces into a belt!
- What about a bunch of watches making a clock face!
- Replace the watch face with a photo for sentimental jewelry... or a reminder with some text!
- Neat keychains with collage and charms mixed in.
- Adding jewelry to the watch face to make a bracelet instead.