{"product_id":"j-g-graves-sheffield-express-english-lever-sterling-silver-pocket-watch-chester-1895","title":"The Express, an English Lever in Chester Silver, 1895","description":"\u003cp\u003eA piece of genuine Victorian watchmaking history, signed by one of England's most celebrated mail-order watch houses. Chester hallmarked to the year 1895, key-wound, and still running well after 130 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJ.G. Graves of Sheffield was one of the major names of Victorian commercial watchmaking - not a maker but a mail-order retailer of great reach, who sold pocket watches to working Englishmen across the country. The \"Express\" English Lever was his flagship watch: a bold name, a recognisable red-and-black dial signature, and a serviceable movement inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis example is Chester hallmarked sterling silver, with the date letter confirmed to 1895. What sets it apart from the more common stem-wound versions is the key-wind movement - an earlier configuration that pre-dates the shift to crown winding, and one that speaks to the transitional character of late Victorian horology. The white enamel dial carries Roman numerals, gold-tone hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The case back bears an engraved cartouche - blank shield with scrollwork, never personalised.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRunning well, keeping good time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"J.G. Graves of Sheffield","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54239630229843,"sku":"PW-0018","price":350.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1080\/3121\/3907\/files\/jg-graves-silver-pocket-watch-1895-front.jpg?v=1783546728","url":"https:\/\/estatecollection.nl\/products\/j-g-graves-sheffield-express-english-lever-sterling-silver-pocket-watch-chester-1895","provider":"The Estate Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}