Making A Fold-Over Catch

These catches are available commercially, but that does not mean there is never a need to have to make one. They are one of the strongest and most reliable catches that can be made in an hour or so. I use these when I make a watch strap, for chains and bracelets. In fact, I have one on my day to day watch and it has not once in four years let loose. The example below is made out of 14kt gold.

I start with a piece of plate about 0.7mm thick. This one is for a narrow chain. If the chain were heavier, I would make it more broad and then out of 1mm plate.

Then I pierce it out like this. The bottom section is going to be used for the top of the catch. Wait, you will see…

Here I have cut the bottom section off and stamped and trimmed it and filed two grooves in it. This is to give a clean neat bend when the arms get bent up and soldered.

I have soldered the two arms and also bent the front up.

These are filed straight and trimmed and the tops are rounded off.

This is the part that I cut off in the beginning. I file a groove at the end.

I solder a piece of wire in the groove. I use solid wire because I drill it afterwards, but tubing could also just as easily be used. Also I trimmed the arms and drilled then with a 1mm drill.

Here the wire is drilled and the top will be bent round.

Like this. I burr a small depression in the front where a small little ball will be soldered on. This is to allow one to use your nail to open the catch.

Here the ball has been soldered and the top been riveted. I like the riveted look but, of course, they could just as easily be soldered flush.

The catch is in place in the chain.

This is one for a titanium watch I made.

And here is another version for a Lavulite chain I made.