Sterling Silver, Chester-Hallmarked, Gilt Movement, 1884
This is a solid, quality piece of English watchmaking from 1884. The substantial sterling silver case - 55.5mm across - is hallmarked Chester with the maker's mark of Charles Harris of Coventry, a respected silvercase maker. The engine-turned decoration to the band and large decorative bow are characteristic of quality English watchmaking of the period.
The white enamel dial is in excellent order: clean Roman numerals, a neat sub-seconds register at 6 o'clock, and original blued steel hands. The movement is key-wind and key-set - a deliberate choice that continued in quality English watchmaking well into the 1880s.
Open the case and the quality becomes clear: a gilt full-plate movement with an ornately engraved balance cock, decorated with fine scrollwork and a jewelled cock table. This is not a common pocket watch. The movement winds well, sets correctly, and runs.
The inner caseback carries an engraved inscription: "W. Larkin" - the name of a previous owner, adding a personal thread of history. A paper label further associates this piece with M G Collingwood of Middlesbrough, a respected watchmaker and jeweller established in 1855 and one of the North East's better-known horological names.
A well-made, running Victorian pocket watch with a beautiful movement.
