How to make a faux pocket watch out of an old table top! Crazy, eh?
I LOVE old table tops. They are round and generally have a perfect routed edge. They are great for making faux clock tables.
This is a curbed table, if you look closely you will see that it has some screws sticking up-that’s because it was a tiered table. I didn’t actually curb this table, my good friend Jan picked it up and then passed it on to me. Isn’t she sweet?
I removed the screws and patched the holes with wood putty.
Can you see a faux pocket watch?
I sanded the finish off of the top, using an 80 grit, and then a 220 grit to smooth it out.
For the routed edge I used Zip Strip.
Spray Paint Faux Pocket Watch
I wanted to have layers of paint, so I started out with some spray paint.
While the paint was drying I started looking for a part to serve as the stem and the ring, thinking this chair part is a little too large.
I dry brushed some oops samples on top of the coat of spray paint.
Make the Face for Faux Pocket Watch
I found the center and used one of those push-in pieces that are on the bottom of chair legs to hold a string. (see the picture above with the chair leg) I wanted to go right to a painted black line, but I had a helper that day (nephew Bubba) and he talked me into using a pencil first.
Not shown: You know how you get into the middle of something and it doesn’t work out—you don’t stop to take pictures because you are frustrated and you just know it’s not going to work out? That’s where I was. The pencil didn’t really work, and the lead would not erase. I had to sand it almost all the way back and start all over again.
I painted a couple of coats of two different browns. I didn’t use the spray paint this time.
I then opted for a paint pen and a piece of embroidery floss. This worked a LOT better.
Design & Place Numerals
I used my Silhouette SD to make some roman numerals out of contact paper.
I actually put little squares around my numerals so that I wouldn’t have to cut them. Epitome of laziness? yeah, probably!
I put all the squares on the watch, then I found two round items to draw circles for the second hand.
How to Prevent Bleed While Stenciling
I painted a little brown over the numerals first to allow for a little bleed protection. I then used some black paint for the numerals. (see the stem up there? I never really took any photos of it.)
I love the fact that if you’re impatient (like I know MOST of us are) and you’re in the middle of a project, simply jump online to the Silhouette store and purchase a single image for .99 cents. I had to do that for the watch hands. The second hand I designed within the program.
I also did the watch hands on the Silhouette SD out of contact paper. I buy clearance contact paper to use for stencils instead of using expensive vinyl.
It is so hard to divide up a circle evenly. This McDonald’s bowl had some perfect little hash marks 1/4 of the way all the way around! How sweet!!!
I used the paint pen to make the little hash marks for minutes and seconds.
Old Table Top into Faux Pocket Watch
The Pottery Barn pocket watch has a brand across it. So far, I haven’t really thought of anything clever to put on mine.
Source $149.00
Close up of the “stem” which is actually a lamp finial and part of a paint can handle. I drilled a hole through the finial to insert the wire.
I’d say this color is more true than the one below.
My kitchen being so dark, not getting much natural daylight, it was very difficult to get a picture without glare. I wanted to make the time something special like a birth date, but I couldn’t get anything to be up in the center, not mixed up down in the second hand circle. While this was laying on the table and I did the placement of the hands, I actually thought I was making the time 12:12. Let’s say that it’s running a little fast and the time should actually read 11:11, since today is 11/11/11. 
gail
Check out what I did with the bottom of this small table.
this is awesome! love how it turned out.
I am loving your clock Gail! I made one recently but didn’t have any where near as many details as yours had. I love the circles you drew around the outside and I love the clock hands… Great job!
I featured this today! Come check it out and grab a button:)
http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2011/11/good-morning-sunshine.html
Love it! Great knock off 😉
Super cool Gail. I love the fact that it is a pocket watch, and not just a clock face.
That is such a great idea! I like your version than the Pottery Barn one. Great job!
No flippin way! That is awesome Gail, you did a great job, I love this project.
That is FABULOUS Gail! So much fun…I might have to try this. My parents have a pocket watch clock that really works that my Dad won at a bowling tournament when he was like 10. I used to think it was tacky…now I want it…they told me I have to wait. Maybe I need to make a faux one to hold its place.
What a cute clock! Trish
I like your version better than pottery barn! Want to make one for me? 😉
I came over from think pink and I am glad I did!!
Oh my gosh, all the things you did that were so out of the box are hysterical! The McDonalds bowl is classic. I SO do the same thing. I can’t cut a straight line, so putting a box around the numbers is right up my alley. Are you going to put gold around the outside rim like the Pottery Barn one? I LOVE the way you used the lamp final for the top, there is no denying that when your blog says “re-purposed” you ain’t lying. Raining here today. Darn it, I forgot to make a wish when the clock read 11 11 11
I love it! I have been wanting to make something like this and buy the works for it so it’s a real clock. I love how this looks!!
I think the squares around the numerals was genius 🙂 not lazy! Hey, it’s the machine’s job to cut things.. let it do it’s thing!
Great job as usual!
That is so cool and so creative! What a fun piece to hang on the wall!
11:11~It won’t happen for another 100 years. 🙂
this is so cool!!!! love it- gail! i love the “pocketwatch look!
Hi, Gail
WoW! How awesome. I just love what you did. Just lovely! I am a new follower.
Vanessa
wow, how fabulous what a great idea for a table top, i love it thanks for sharing xxx
You are the most creative person I know…I admire your ideas. That clock would be perfect on our half empty wall in the living room!
Hugs,
Sue
This is so great! I would never have seen this table and thought “clock”, but I am happy to know that I am not the only one hoarding pieces and parts to use for that someday craft! Excellent!
LOVE it! Definitely an inspiration. I want one! Maybe when we redo the family room. Thanks for sharing the tutorial, Gail!
Looks great, thanks for the great tutorial, I think I’m going to try this.
GORGEOUS!
I’d like to borrow your creative brain, even if only for a day… Once I get the idea I’m fine… it’s just GETTING the idea that’s hard for me!
I agree with Amanda, I like your version much better than the Pottery Barn version! PB went way too far on the distressing.
Wow, Gail…wow! What a creative and beautifully done transformation!
Jenn
You always amaze me with what you come up with. What a great job!
I love this! You did an amazing job on it! I want one now!
Holly
Gorgeous, Gail!! It look magnificent. I love the addition of the second hand. Pottery Barn has nothing on you! 🙂
This is super cute! I think this project will be starting a new trend 🙂
Lovely! Thanks for sharing the tip about using contact paper!
That’s awesome!
Fabulous! It’s a real beauty indeed and a great tutorial.
This makes me anxious to finish up a table I have buried out in my garage. Thanks for the inspiration Gail.
how about for the ‘brand’ across it
…RENDEZ-VOUS….
it’s french and it’s clever!
…as MEETIN’ TIME
(in my best Texan)
Pat
that is such a great idea and it turned out beautifully!
Lesley
http://www.not2shabbycrafts@blogspot.com
Awesome. I just found a particle board table this morning at the dumpster that I immediately thought of doing the same thing to. Woot woot. Now I don’t have to buy a round piece of wood.
Wonderful creation,terrific idea and beautiful results!
Hugs
Love it. Better than the original, although I can’t say anything bad about Pottery Barn products — except maybe the price! Yours is fabulous!
nice job! it’s cute!!
Gail, that is fabulous. You did a fantastic job on that.
Thanks for the tute… it’s already in my inspiration file.
Have a great weekend…
Hugs, Deb
Looked back at the clock table…both creations are truly beautiful! Diane
Holy Moly Gail! I love that pocket watch! Nice job and great tute.
Susan
Love, love, love your clock…and as always you did an amazing job!
My faux clock table was one of my favorite finished pieces, ever! They make great conversation pieces!
It came out great. So cool to finally get to see it. Glad you stuck with it and got it to come out the way you had envisioned. Your stem is perfect too. Another great makeover (and I agree with amanda, the original from PB is too distressed)
So cute. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.
This turned out so nice! Looks like you took your time on this & turned out a great piece
This looks amazing! I love how you see a table and think ‘Ah, clock face’. I much prefer your version to the PB, they have gone a little OTT on the distressing I think. Thanks for sharing another great re-purpose!