UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45
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I know there’s a few watch enthusiasts here so I thought I’d share this. I was left this by my grandfather years ago but it was stored away in my parents’ house for ages, and I think my uncle borrowed it for a black tie do in that London. I knew it was safe but now I finally have it my possession.
https://i.imgur.com/Mb6bVfX.jpgIt was made by Thomas Russell & Sons in Liverpool, which appears to have been the big watch company of the late 19th/early 20th century. Most models I’ve seen photos of seem to have a small seconds sub-dial though. It belonged to my great-great grandfather, William Grace Roberts, who was a sea captain from a small village on Anglesey. He sailed all over the world in his ship and sounds like a hell of a guy. Here he is in Peru c. 1880.
https://i.imgur.com/Je9DfT4.jpgThe receipt says he bought it in 1884 from a shop that sold nautical instruments and chronometers on Bute Street in Cardiff (probably while his ship was harboured there). He paid £33 for it but got £5 off for trading in another watch. It ticks along nicely. I’m going to try and get some kind of display case for it (and get the receipt framed alongside his photo).
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If anybody knows something about hallmarks, this is what is inside;
https://i.imgur.com/hm9gRUP.jpg
https://www.bonhams.com/auction/28034/lot/13/thomas-russell-and-son-12-church-st-liverpool-an-18k-gold-keyless-wind-full-hunter-pocket-watch-chester-hallmark-for-1911/
...so your watch was assayed in Chester too, is 18ct gold and the 'S' looks like 1881.
”In the 18th century farmers and agricultural employees who wanted to supplement their income during the dark winter months could produce watch components in their home workshops. It was a thriving cottage industry in and around Lancashire with the components sold on for watchmakers to assemble.”
https://www.timewornwatches.co.uk/manufacturers/thomas-russell-son/