English Identify my watch please

[Nasman]

Hi can anyone help me with identifying my watch.

 

[John Matthews]

Welcome to the forum.

The 18K gold case in your photographs was made in Coventry by Richard Yardley of 132, Spon Street. His mark (RY) in an oval cartouche, was registered at the London Assay Office on three consecutive occasions, the last being 17 June, 1873, which is the one pertaining to your case. The London hall marks include the date letter 'A' that was used between May1876 and may 1877.

Richard Yardley was previously working with William Buckland between 1.1.1868 and 25.10.1869, registered as gold case makers. Yardley continued to work in Spon Street after the partnership was dissolved.

If you post photographs of the watch face and movement we can provide more information.

John

 

[gmorse]

Hi Nasman,

Just to clarify, the case maker wasn't necessarily involved with the making of the movement, in fact in the majority of instances they weren't.

If you're wondering about a Coventry case maker registering their marks in the London assay office, they did also have registrations in the geographically closer Chester office, but the London mark carried more prestige at the time. Coventry has never had an assay office.

Regards,

Graham

 

[John Matthews]

If you're wondering about a Coventry case maker registering their marks in the London assay office, they did also have registrations in the geographically closer Chester office, but the London mark carried more prestige at the time. Coventry has never had an assay office.

The closest Assay Office to Coventry is obviously Birmingham. While it is true that for gold wares, including watch cases, there was a 'prestige preference' for London, then Chester, before Birmingham, prestige was not the only factor. As a gold case maker, Yardley registered at both London and Chester. The fact that he did not register in Birmingham is no doubt a reflection that he focused on gold work.

The reason I suggested you post photographs of the movement, was to try and identify where the watch was finished, i.e. who issued the order to Yardley to make the case for the movement. I anticipate that the signature will be that of a prominent London maker or retailer, which in part would explain the use of the London Assay Office. If it had been ordered by a Liverpool maker, Chester would have been more likely to have been used. A movement finished in Coventry for a London 'name' would also have London hallmarks.

Although you do find 18K gold cases in the C19th with Birmingham hallmarks containing Coventry finished movements, Birmingham was the favoured office for silver cases, the predominent output from Coventry. In the post Victorian period the incidence of gold cased watches with Birmingham hallmarks increased.

It is always preferable to post photographs of the complete watch, i.e. case, dial and movement, as just one element never allows the full story to be told.

John

 

[Nasman]

Welcome to the forum.

The 18K gold case in your photographs was made in Coventry by Richard Yardley of 132, Spon Street. His mark (RY) in an oval cartouche, was registered at the London Assay Office on three consecutive occasions, the last being 17 June, 1873, which is the one pertaining to your case. The London hall marks include the date letter 'A' that was used between May1876 and may 1877.

Richard Yardley was previously working with William Buckland between 1.1.1868 and 25.10.1869, registered as gold case makers. Yardley continued to work in Spon Street after the partnership was dissolved.

If you post photographs of the watch face and movement we can provide more information.

John

Thanks so much

 

[Nasman]

I’m unsure how to open the case to view the movement

 

[Nasman]

I’m unsure how to open the case to view the movement

 

[roughbarked]

Most key wind movements flip the movement out from under the front bezel.
Can you show photographs of the front of the watch?

 

[MrRoundel]

I suspect that the front cover is hinged, even if it's an open face movement (pendant/bow at 12:00.), which I suspect it is. I may even see a protrusion/lip just below the pendant on the rear image. If so, that would be the pry point to open up the front. Then, as roughbarked said, you'll find that the movement is hinged into the case from the front. There should be some sort of release tab visible, probably at the 6:00 position, that you pull up with a fingernail. Still, before you go prying and releasing, it would be nice to see the front of the watch, especially with the bezel hinged open. Good luck.

 

[Nasman]

I suspect that the front cover is hinged, even if it's an open face movement (pendant/bow at 12:00.), which I suspect it is. I may even see a protrusion/lip just below the pendant on the rear image. If so, that would be the pry point to open up the front. Then, as roughbarked said, you'll find that the movement is hinged into the case from the front. There should be some sort of release tab visible, probably at the 6:00 position, that you pull up with a fingernail. Still, before you go prying and releasing, it would be nice to see the front of the watch, especially with the bezel hinged open. Good luck.

Thanks I’ll upload some pictures asap

 

[gmorse]

Hi Nasman,

MrR is correct, these cases have a fixed inner back cover, (the 'dome'), and the front bezel is hinged. Once it's opened, there will be a small steel tab protruding under the 6 o'clock position which is pressed in to allow the movement to swing up. Be careful when you do this not to damage the seconds hand if there is one. You may find that the movement has a cap with a blue steel crescent-shaped locking piece. Slide this clockwise and it will lift off to reveal the movement.


Regards,

Graham

 

[Nasman]

I really appreciate everyones input and I do apologise for the lack of pictures, but as soon as possible I’ll update you with more information and pictures.

 

[Nasman]

Hi Nasman,

Just to clarify, the case maker wasn't necessarily involved with the making of the movement, in fact in the majority of instances they weren't.

If you're wondering about a Coventry case maker registering their marks in the London assay office, they did also have registrations in the geographically closer Chester office, but the London mark carried more prestige at the time. Coventry has never had an assay office.

Regards,

Graham

Thanks