Dennision watch safety bow

[luiazazrambo]

I finished reading "Aaron Lufkin Dennison An Industrial Pioneer and his Legacy" by Philip T. Priestley. ( i recommend to read it for anyone) It says: "In 1912, the Dennison safety watch bow with ball-and-socket ends was introduced. It was the best and most elegant solution to the problem preventing thieves from removing the watch  from its chain."

What does that mean? How did a thief remove the watch? Because it was relatively easy to remove the bow and therefore the watch from its chain? Maybe I answered my own question? I have been thinking about it for the last day or so.

[KarlvonKoln]

I'm guessing a pickpocket would just give a good, hard yank on the watch, and either the chain would break or the bow would come off.  If the owner had a fine, slender chain, then the chain would be the weak point and the thief has himself a watch.  But if the owner invested in a sturdy chain, then the bow is the weak point, and the thief will need to get a bow for his ill-gotten watch.  As you probably already know, over a few years a watch bow can wear down, where it meets the indentations on the pendant.  It becomes floppy and loose.  A firm tug is often all it could take to dislodge it.  Having it tightened with bow-closing pliers, then re-installed is a partial solution.  But it won't stop a strong and determined thief.
But if the chain is sturdy and the watch bow is one of Dennison's (and the suit is strong cloth) all the pickpocket will accomplish is to pull an angry owner to within punching distance of him.
I found an article on how these bows were affixed.

https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/dennison.php

About 3/4 of the way down the page, it talks about the safety bows.  A well-attached bow and a sturdy chain with strong clips go far to protect your investment.

[luiazazrambo]

2 hours ago, KarlvonKoln said:

But if the chain is sturdy and the watch bow is one of Dennison's (and the suit is strong cloth) all the pickpocket will accomplish is to pull an angry owner to within punching distance of him.