Art Carney's Watch Restoration Becomes a Meditation on Family and Memory
A new documentary titled 'Time Remembered' follows the restoration of actor Art Carney's Baume & Mercier gold triple-calendar chronograph watch, gifted to him by his 'Honeymooners' co-star Jackie Gleason. The watch was handed down to Carney's son Brian, who brought it to Grand Central Watch in New York City, owned by Steve Kivel. Kivel, a third-generation watchmaker, restored the timepiece, which holds special meaning as a fan of the show. The film, produced by Illumin8 in partnership with Grand Central Watch, explores themes of inheritance, memory, and family. It also digitized deteriorating film reels of Carney, allowing Brian to see footage of his father he had never seen before. The project is part of a service offered by Grand Central Watch and Illumin8, where clients can create custom films about their heirlooms for around $15,000. Brian Carney plans to eventually donate the watch to a museum.
Key facts
- Art Carney's Baume & Mercier watch was gifted by Jackie Gleason.
- The watch is a gold triple-calendar chronograph.
- The restoration is documented in the film 'Time Remembered'.
- The film was produced by Illumin8 in partnership with Grand Central Watch.
- Steve Kivel, owner of Grand Central Watch, restored the watch.
- Kivel has restored watches for Edgar Allan Poe, an Apollo 14 astronaut, and a James Bond film.
- Brian Carney, Art Carney's son, brought the watch to Kivel.
- The film digitized old reels of Art Carney that Brian had never seen.
- Grand Central Watch was opened by Kivel's grandfather in 1952.
- The watch will likely end up in a museum.
Entities
Artists
- Art Carney
- Jackie Gleason
- Brian Carney
- Steve Kivel
- Wilson Masache
- Adam Warner
- Laura Kivel
Institutions
- Grand Central Watch
- Illumin8 films
- Robb Report
- Baume & Mercier
- Geiko
Locations
- Grand Central Terminal
- New York City
- Connecticut
- United States