what is this?

[Suwanee]

I came across this piece at a vintage store. It looks like some sort of weird calendar. It is not a finger ring. Much too big for that. It is about 1 1/4 inch diameter, and the band is 1/2 inch wide. I hope it is not anything pervert. :)
The round thing at the top moves along the date line. There is a slot inside the band about 1/8 inch wide and an inch or so long. It must have some meaning regarding the dates.
As you can see in the photos, the JASOND are the months from July - December.
The JFMAMJ are Jan-July. The dates inside are 4 through 11 on the bottom and on top and counting backwards is 8 - 1.
A number 12 is at the center with an arrow pointing towards the numbers. See photos for details. It's kind of confusing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30630239@N08/sets/72157626121749089/

Inside it looks like SW with a trademark sign, that looks crudely stamped.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Suwanee

[cutependants]

I have absolutely no idea, but it is really lovely! and unique-

[MarthaHorman]

Have no idea either but it's great.

[halfmoonroad]

Just a guess..some sort of valve..SW..maybe a water valve. The months have me stumped. The most popular SW is Smith & Wesson...the W could be "water".
I'll be thinking about this all day!

[Suwanee]

It was on a necklace cord, which leads me to think it was worn as a necklace..... but why? It is unusual... very.

[Suwanee]

BTW, thanks for the responses.

[Suwanee]

I am checking out pipe fittings..... grabbing at straws. It is bugging me not being able to identify it. :)

[halfmoonroad]

Brainstorming here :)

reminder of some kind..pills or a record of your last "monthly"...Victorian birth control!

numbers on inside makes it doubtful it was a valve
:(

[Suwanee]

I found it, I found it, I found it!!!! I am so happy! Another Etsian (RonOstlundjr) and I were brainstorming on twitter and finally I found this site http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/watches/e56d/?cpg=froogle

Best of all, it is something that is related to my current hobby of Astronomy!

[halfmoonroad]

Yeah!

[PapergirlStudios]

I was going to say it looked liked some sort of ancient sundial thing when I first seen your post...but I didn't want to be wrong and look like a knucklehead! So I have been lurking and waiting for you to find the answer!
Now I feel much better :0)

[halfmoonroad]

<<<< Only 1 knucklehead here ;)

[Suwanee]

:)o that was a fun

[Suwanee]

I meant to say, that was fun (researching).

[Former_Member]

I LOVE researching for unusual items...great you found out what it is! :-)

[cutependants]

I love the idea of a necklace to remind you when your last "cycle" was...hehe

[cutependants]

omg that is so cool! a portable sundial. huh.

[Former_Member]

THAT IS SO COOL!!!

[Former_Member]

The thing would be great used as a pendulum. I am sure it would work.

[Suwanee]

a pendulum? not sure how I would get it to work...... I like the way the sun i supposed to shine through the little opening. Now if only we can get some sun here in Virginia! I hear that Friday might be a nice sunny day....

[Suwanee]

The one that I have looks more ancient than the ones I see advertised at Geek something. Forgot the name of the site. Also mine has those initals inside which I haven't yet solved. Looks like SW, could be JW. It's some sort of trademark.

[BohemianMoonDesign]

Wow awesome!!!
Really REALLY cool
Where did you get yours Suwanee?

[Suwanee]

from a vintage seller. I've had it for awhile now - just finally got around to trying to identify it. It is so pretty, albeit a little scruffy looking.

[VintageCarolina]

How interesting, love that!