I recently purchased an RJ Rosenberg watchmakers bench. With lots of TLC, I did some refreshing of this well worked, loved and neglected workstation. In the process of restoring this piece I found that it is made of zebra oak, a beautiful hard wood with a marvelous grain pattern. The each drawer is constructed with dove tailed joints, workmanship not often seen .

As I restored the work surface, I found evidence, in the way of impressions or marks of the work past jewelers/watchmakers efforts. There are mechanical and mysterious marks in the table top of this marvelous piece. I’ll never know just how those marks were made and that’s ok. The thing is, I feel connected to the history of this piece and other jewelers/watchmakers who once worked at this beautiful piece. I love that.