Help dating my Rotherhams London Pocket Watch and Spare Parts

[kelstar1970]

I am looking for help to date a pocket watch left to me by my grandfather.

The watch movement is a mechanical wind, made by the Rotherhams London. The movement has the following markings “Rotherhams”, “London” and the serial number on the movement is 373538

The watch case is 14ct gold/filled and stated on the inside dust cover, (two plates of solid gold over metal) with the serial number 456678 and embossed art work on front of case

I have heard it is not uncommon for movements to be in a case made by a different company and would aslo like to know the make of the case, as the glass and bezel are missing and I would like to replace these.

The watch is in working condition and keeps time well, so I would love to have it complete again.

 

[MartyR]

Welcome to the board, Kelstar

We can't tell you much without photos!

A 14K gold plated case with the description you give sounds American to me. We can't possibly tell you who made the case without photos. It won't help you to know the name of the maker in terms of getting a new bezel and crystal (glass). A new bezel would have to be made specially and unless you're lucky it could be very expensive. A new crystal is simple and cheap and can be fitted by any watch repairer.

 

[DaveyG]

Marty is quite right and we would need to see pictures. As far as I know there are no records of Rotherhams serial numbers but by comparing the ser no with other known examples I would say that your watch is somewhere between 1915/1920. I would caution against running the watch for any length of time if it hasn't been used and maintained for a long period and would advise a clean and service before you put it to work.

Rotherhams made fine watches and I believe that Dennison did make some 14ct Gold Filled cases so have a look to see if it is marked ALD anywhere and that could provide a further clue to dating.

 

[Kent]

Here in the u.S., dealers show up at watch shows with piles of old bezels which can be sorted through to perhaps find one that will match a case. This is usually at regional NAWCC conventions. Some of these are now open to the public towards the end of the show.

Good luck,

 

[kelstar1970]

Hi Martin
Can you tell me how to ad pictures.
Cheers Kel

 

[DaveyG]

Hi Kel, If you click on the 'Reply' button beneath the post then clicking on the 'Go Advanced' button will take you to a new screen where you can insert your text reply and then scroll down to an area that offers you 'Manage Attachments' and it is from there that you can insert pictures.

Could you let us know whereabouts in the world you are Kel, it helps when forming responses.

 

[PJQL]

I've also got a nice Rotherhams movement and dial....very clean indeed. Unfortunately the mainspring has failed.
Were they a well respected watchsmiths ?
One other thing...the balance cock is completely plain...totally unengraved. Was this normal, as I would have expected it to be quite ornate, or could it have been replaced ?

 

[DaveyG]

Piers, again you will have to post photographs but I would say that a full plate Rotherhams watch with a plain balance cock is quite normal. Every Rotherhams watch that I have dismantled has been of good quality and some extremely fine.

 

[MartyR]

... but if you do that, Piers, please start another thread so that we can continue to discuss Kelstar's watch on this thread. Thanks.

Now back to Kelstar - how are you getting on with posting photos, Kel?

 

[DaveyG]

... but if you do that, Piers, please start another thread so that we can continue to discuss Kelstar's watch on this thread. Thanks.

Good point Marty - well presented!

 

[PJQL]

Point taken gents.

It was a bit of a thoughtless liberty...my apologies all round.

 

[kelstar1970]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I am in Australia and have no idea about watch expos extra.
I hope these photos work and everyone can see my watch. I think it is fabulous.

Cheers Kel

 

[kelstar1970]

Hi there
Thanks for the email. I was unsure wether I should post the pictures under your message or my own. So I put them on my original query, I hope this was correct.
Cheers Kel
From Australia

 

[DaveyG]

Hi Kel, I think as I said before, there isn't, as far as I know, a reference to Rotherham serial numbers but there is a source of information about Dennison watch cases. I am assuming that your case is a Dennison case, to confirm that it should be stamped ALD or marked Dennison on the outer cover and, as a 25 year case it should also be marked 'SUN' and be stamped also with a crescent moon, a star and sun. If it is confirmed as a Dennison case then the serial number of the case, matched against the sample data from Philip Priestley's book 'Aaron Lufkin Dennison' dates the case to c1913. Not guaranteed accurate but it gives you a ballpark dating within a couple of years (assuming the case to be original to the movement). I very recently serviced a Rotherhams watch of exactly the same plate layout, with a serial number pretty close to yours, that was in a gold Dennison case which was hallmarked for 1912.

If it isn't a Dennison case - disregard.

 

[kelstar1970]

Would you be interested in servicing mine. The watch keeps good time but I need the glass and bezel replaced. I have been approaching people in Australia for over 10 years and they all say they would have to hand make a new bezel and it is too big
of a job. They also tell me that the watch is not worth the cost of fixing. As the watch belonged to my Pop the cost is not
really a factor. I can pay in advance, including postage both ways. I would dearly love to be able to use my Pops watch
on a daily basic. It sits on my desk and I look at it all the time.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers Kel