Origination of family pocket watch UK

[Dr Ron Kirby]

Hello everyone
I have a Silver Pocket watch which my Grandfather left when he died in 1969. It was I believe either his brothers or another family member as the name engraved inside is a common family name . The Silver Mark is Newcastle upon Tyne along with the Lion and a letter " A " with scrolled feet . I cannot quite tie down the date of the "A" but it looks like the 1758 mark . Engraved in the back are also the letters T.P.H .then the numbers 139 . There are no makers name on the ceramic watch face with just the main face with Roman Numerals and a small numbered second hand circular face where 6 would be .
Any information would be gratefully appreciated.
Thank you .

 

[gmorse]

Hi Dr Ron, and welcome to the forum,

Any information would be gratefully appreciated.

I think you may be confusing the town marks here, I'd be very surprised if this wasn't actually Chester, the marks are quite similar, especially if they're at all rubbed. The Chester mark is three wheat sheaves and a sword, and the Newcastle mark is three castles. A watch case with a Newcastle town mark would be a great rarity, but please post some clear pictures and we can confirm all this.

However, the sponsor's mark of T.P.H is for Thomas Peter Hewitt who was the MD of the Lancashire Watch Company in Prescot, Lancashire. This company existed from 1889 until going bankrupt in 1911, and made complete watches, (both cases and movements), largely using machinery, something of an innovation for the English watch trade at the time, although way behind the American companies who'd been doing this for many years.

Thus, if the date letter is an 'A' with curly serifs, the date is for 1901/2.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Dr Ron Kirby]

Hi Dr Ron, and welcome to the forum,


I think you may be confusing the town marks here, I'd be very surprised if this wasn't actually Chester, the marks are quite similar, especially if they're at all rubbed. The Chester mark is three wheat sheaves and a sword, and the Newcastle mark is three castles. A watch case with a Newcastle town mark would be a great rarity, but please post some clear pictures and we can confirm all this.

However, the sponsor's mark of T.P.H is for Thomas Peter Hewitt who was the MD of the Lancashire Watch Company in Prescot, Lancashire. This company existed from 1889 until going bankrupt in 1911, and made complete watches, (both cases and movements), largely using machinery, something of an innovation for the English watch trade at the time, although way behind the American companies who'd been doing this for many years.

Thus, if the date letter is an 'A' with curly serifs, the date is for 1901/2.

Regards,

Graham

Good afternoon Graham
Many thanks for the prompt reply . I have been able to define the Town Mark and it is indeed Chester although rubbed quite a lot but I can make out the sword . The A is indeed with curly serifs , which gives it a date of 1901/2 and does indicate which family member it is , however I am not sure how he came to own a Lancashire watch but the vague family recollection of him was that he was one of the early BBC Radio singers.
Regards
Ron Kirby

 

[John Matthews]

Newcastle Assay Office closed in 1883 and no watch cases with a Newcastle town mark have been recorded.

John

 

[gmorse]

Hi Ron,

...however I am not sure how he came to own a Lancashire watch...

The LWC sold watches all over the UK, many to retailers of all sizes including large mail-order businesses like Kays who put their own names on them or, as in your example, left them anonymous.

The company was set up with the intent of competing with the large quantities of US and Swiss watches being imported at the end of the 19th century, but although it produced a relatively large number of watches, it ultimately couldn't match their economic power. By this time the English watch trade, once possessing so much prestige around the world, was highly resistant to change and through clinging to outdated designs and methods of production was in severe decline.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Dr Ron Kirby]

Newcastle Assay Office closed in 1883 and no watch cases with a Newcastle town mark have been recorded.

John

Thank you John
I have now found out it is a Chester mark not Newcastle as it was difficult to make out the origin of the marks due to aged rubbing .
Regards
Ron Kirby

 

[Dr Ron Kirby]

Hi Ron,


The LWC sold watches all over the UK, many to retailers of all sizes including large mail-order businesses like Kays who put their own names on them or, as in your example, left them anonymous.

The company was set up with the intent of competing with the large quantities of US and Swiss watches being imported at the end of the 19th century, but although it produced a relatively large number of watches, it ultimately couldn't match their economic power. By this time the English watch trade, once possessing so much prestige around the world, was highly resistant to change and through clinging to outdated designs and methods of production, and was in severe decline.

Regards,

Graham

That must be the case I would think Graham .
Thank you again as I am meeting with older family members in the morning to discuss our family tree .
My main interest is in more modern watches

 

[Dr Ron Kirby]

That must be the case I would think Graham .
Thank you again as I am meeting with older family members in the morning to discuss our family tree .
My main interest is in more modern watches however I have found your information extremely interesting .
Again thank you for the help.
Regards
Ron Kirby

 

[Dr Ron Kirby]

Good morning everyone
Now that I have ascertained the originality of my families pocket watch I wish to have it repaired .
Can anyone advise me on any company or individual who carries out this type of work ?
I live on the outskirts of Durham City .
Regards
Ron Kirby