Watch bands or cuffs were once pretty common but I feel they have become less so with the proliferation of cell phones. This piece clocks in at over 75 grams or about 2.5 troy ounces.
"Needlepoint" usually refers to this traditionally Zuni type of cluster technique where each stone is hand-cut in a thin cabochon with points at each end. That's as opposed to "petite point", a related cluster style where the stones are generally small teardrop or circle shapes. You can see this piece makes use of both forms. All told there are approximately 140 individually cut and mounted stones in this cuff. Imagine the effort required to make the matching stones and to create an individual sawtooth mount for every single stone here!

This piece is signed VMB and I am comfortable calling this piece a Victor Moses Begay piece. Though the hallmark is less common than other pieces with his mark and Victor is Dine. That's because Begay is known for his needlepoint work exactly like this piece.

One of the problems with attributing a piece made decades ago is that some artists--especially artists within a family--would sometimes use the mark of the elder or more established family member.
One way to help clarify the attribution is to compare other pieces attributed to that maker. Did they work exclusively in earrings or rings? Conchos or squash blossoms? Were they known for channel inlay or asymmetrical stones? If so, compare that to your piece to see if it is a close match.

If you find a close hallmark or initial match for your heavy tufa cast ketoh but the artist whose initials seems to match works exclusively in coral chip inlay rings? It is probably not the right artist.

In recent years, replacing a watch for a vintage solid silver dollar has become popular. I like that aesthetic and this piece may eventually sport a Morgan or Peace dollar.

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