watch chain

American  

noun

1. a chain, frequently of gold or silver, attached to a pocket watch, serving as an ornament and, when passed through a buttonhole in the vest, as a guard against loss or theft of the watch.

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watch chain British  

noun

1. a chain used for fastening a pocket watch to the clothing See also fob 1

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Etymology

Origin of watch chain

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

watch chain

It seems that the pandemic helped turbocharge the market, said Steven Kaiser, the president and chief executive of Kennedy USA, a watch chain based in Australia.

From New York Times ● Mar. 24, 2022

The suit is by British designer Ozwald Boateng, and everything about it is glorious: the subtle print, the vibrant hue, the unexpected length of the coat, the watch chain.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 12, 2021

The sale at Boldon Auction Galleries in South Tyneside also included a plaster cast of his face and hands, and a silver watch chain he wore at work.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2019

He was dandyish: as a student at Cambridge he wore frock coats and spats, and as a Member of Parliament he always wore a waistcoat with a watch chain.

From The New Yorker ● Jun. 28, 2018

“You look different, too,” I mumbled, my eye drawn by the glimmer of the double Albert watch chain draped across his slim waist.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros