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DirikLolkus
03-03-2005, 06:06 AM
Hello,
I am mainly a wristwatch person. However, I recently obtained an English pocketwatch and was trying to get any add'l info. on it I can find. It is an open-face watch, with a centerseconds sweep second hand which is started and stopped by a slide button on the case edge. The dial has no maker's or seller's name, the case is marked with "WS", has a hallmark that appears to be Chester (3 sheves of corn?), a crown and "18", and a stylized capital "D". The movement, which is keeping perfect time, is very nice, gilded, 3/4 plate, nice red jewels, what appears to be a diamond end-stone, marked with retailer(?) of Charles Horner, Northgate, Halifax, also has serial number and the engraved notation "KEW, 82.3). I have attempted to post a poor image of the movement. Is this an English or Swiss movement, do you think? Thanks for any comments!

DirikLolkus
03-03-2005, 06:06 AM
Hello,
I am mainly a wristwatch person. However, I recently obtained an English pocketwatch and was trying to get any add'l info. on it I can find. It is an open-face watch, with a centerseconds sweep second hand which is started and stopped by a slide button on the case edge. The dial has no maker's or seller's name, the case is marked with "WS", has a hallmark that appears to be Chester (3 sheves of corn?), a crown and "18", and a stylized capital "D". The movement, which is keeping perfect time, is very nice, gilded, 3/4 plate, nice red jewels, what appears to be a diamond end-stone, marked with retailer(?) of Charles Horner, Northgate, Halifax, also has serial number and the engraved notation "KEW, 82.3). I have attempted to post a poor image of the movement. Is this an English or Swiss movement, do you think? Thanks for any comments!

DirikLolkus
03-03-2005, 06:10 AM
Come on image!

DirikLolkus
03-03-2005, 06:14 AM
http://www.fotoistic.com/is.php?i=309&img=Kew1.jpeg

David Thomas
03-03-2005, 07:00 AM
Your watch is English, not Swiss. The retailer, Charles Horner, was a Jeweller and Silversmith who was famous for his thimbles :cool:

http://www.charleshorner.co.uk

The case was probably made by William Sexton of Norfolk Street,Coventry in 1904.

Kew would test a watch in six postions and at three temperatures over a period of 44 days. They would then give the watch a mark out of 100. A Kew mark of 82.3 is very good.

Regards

Dave

Dr. Jon
03-03-2005, 10:36 AM
This type of watch was made in grades ranging from decent to very good. Yours is the best example I have seen. A watch of this type with a Kew certicate is unusual and to have it with such a high mark is very unusual.

The movement is very likely English made. The Capitol "D" indicates that the case was assayed in 1887.