Links of London was capable of being polished, formal and quietly irreverent at the same time.

These sterling silver PP No.2 Oval Chain Cufflinks are a good example. At first glance they appear to be a restrained pair of traditional oval gentleman’s cufflinks. Look more closely, however, and the opposing engravings reveal the joke: “PP” on one side and “No.2” on the other.

The meaning is deliberately juvenile. “PP” and “No.2” reference the familiar polite childhood euphemisms for urination and defecation, turning an otherwise conventional pair of silver cufflinks into a piece of understated British toilet humour.

Vintage Links of London PP No.2 oval cufflinks in sterling silver

A Joke Hidden in a Traditional Cufflink

The design works because the humour is not immediately obvious.

Each cufflink uses a pair of polished oval sterling silver ends connected by a short chain. Without the engraving, they would read as a classic double-ended cufflink design suitable for formal or business dress.

The joke only becomes apparent once the engraved faces are noticed together.

That contrast between formal construction and childish subject matter gives the cufflinks much of their character.

Links of London silver cufflinks engraved PP and No.2

PP and No.2

One oval end is engraved “PP”, while the opposing end reads “No.2”.

The wording reflects euphemisms familiar to generations of British parents and children. The humour is polite enough to be socially acceptable, but clear enough that the joke requires little explanation once the two sides are seen together.

More than one identical surviving pair has been observed, suggesting that the engraving was likely repeated as part of the design rather than representing a single private personalisation.

The exact original Links of London catalogue title and product reference have not yet been recovered, so the design is documented here using the wording visible on the cufflinks themselves.

Vintage oval chain cufflinks with humorous British engraving

A Possible New-Father or Office Gift

The humour would have made these an obvious gift for a new father suddenly confronted with the practical realities of nappies and childcare.

They would also have fitted neatly into the culture of office gifting: respectable enough to wear with a shirt and suit, but carrying a joke that colleagues would appreciate once the engraving was noticed.

No surviving original marketing copy has yet been recovered to confirm that specific intended use, so this remains an interpretation of the design rather than a documented sales claim.

Links of London PP cufflink ends in polished sterling silver

Dimensions of a Surviving Pair

A surviving pair documented by Links London measures approximately:

• Oval ends: 19mm × 14mm
• Thickness: 2mm
• Connecting chains: 17mm long
• Material: Sterling silver

The proportions keep the cufflinks compact and wearable, with the engraved oval ends remaining broad enough for the lettering to be clearly legible.

Links of London No.2 engraved oval cufflinks

Traditional Double-Ended Chain Construction

The cufflinks use a traditional double-ended chain format rather than a swivel or hinged fitting.

This gives each cufflink a flexible connection through the shirt cuff and allows both engraved faces to remain part of the design.

The polished silver and simple oval profile keep the construction visually restrained, allowing the engraving to provide the personality.

Sterling silver double-ended chain cufflinks measuring 19mm by 14mm

A Surviving 2003 Hallmarked Pair

The surviving pair documented here is hallmarked LL, 925 with a date letter for 2003.

The hallmark dates this individual pair rather than establishing the first year in which the design was produced.

The cufflinks have been professionally cleaned and polished and remain in good vintage condition.

One of the No.2 engravings has softened slightly through previous wear and polishing, but it remains legible and does not obscure the design.

Vintage Links of London oval cufflinks front view

Formal Silver with an Informal Sense of Humour

These cufflinks capture an aspect of Links of London that can easily be missed when looking only at the more polished jewellery collections.

The construction is traditional. The material is sterling silver. The proportions are restrained. The joke, however, is anything but formal.

That balance makes the PP No.2 cufflinks memorable: a pair of polished silver gentleman’s accessories that look entirely respectable until the engraving gives the game away.

They are a small but particularly revealing example of the humour that could sit beneath the more conventional surface of original Links of London design.

PP and No.2 novelty engravings on silver cufflinks

Links of London chain cufflinks with 17mm connecting chains

Professionally polished vintage Links of London cufflinks

2003 hallmarked Links of London sterling silver cufflinks

Double-ended polished oval Links of London cufflinks