WORLDWIDE Chapter 149 Message Board

Jon · Chapter President

Hi Ray, I thought (possibly) you could give the members a rundown on your preferred list of your favorite books to read(or own) on English pocket watches?

This could prove to be a new avenue for collectors to learn and collect English watches and/or movements.

Thanks and stay well down there in the NT.

Thanks.

Jon

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

Will do Jon.

Jon · Chapter President

Thank you, Ray,

This could prove to be a valuable tool for those interested in or collecting English watches.

John B Scott · Chapter Member

This a good request. I have a lot of respect for the better English watches but they do not seem to be nearly so well documented as their American counterparts. Knowing the maker and date of a watch movement adds greatly to its perceived value - the satisfaction to be gained from collecting it. The American authors have done very well at this but matters are not so easy when it comes to English watches.

Very often the emphasis, where English watches are concerned, seems to be with the material and hallmarked date of the case. Whilst these aspects are important, there is often too little concentration on the maker and specifications of the movement. I have several books on English watches but the information that they provide about movements is fairly sparse.

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

Hi, this is a good starter Book about English and Other Pocket Watches. It is available on the Big Auction site for a very reasonable cost. The Company is still going under another Name by agreement with the previous owner. Regards Ray About Us (henryhallpike.com)

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

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omexa reborn · Chapter Member

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omexa reborn · Chapter Member

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omexa reborn · Chapter Member

I have another 3 more Technical Books which I will post later on.

Jon · Chapter President

GREAT PRESENTATION

Thanks, Ray.

interstatetime · Chapter Member

I agree, this is great Ray.

John B Scott · Chapter Member

Yes, thanks Ray. That is a good start. I have seen that book and it is excellent, especially for older watches.

For myself, the English watches that I am trying to identify are mostly the later (1880s onwards) lever escapement going barrel non-fusee models. I must admit, I shy away from fusees!

Jon · Chapter President

For later Hi-grade English watches there is the Frodsham book.

John B Scott · Chapter Member

Thanks, Jon, Frodsham I do not have.

A book that I do have is Watches 1850 - 1889 by M Cutmore and that is quite good, but not so good as the American books.

I think the English scene was far less organised than the American watch industry. In England, everyone did their own thing and few people would have had the whole picture. In many ways, that makes for variety and interest but it is hopeless for the collectors of today who might want to find a replacement case or a spare part.

Jon · Chapter President

No, do not give up--Ray and I will work up an important list

I have a bunch in my mind but I need to drag them out for correct authors and pub dates, etc.

Ray does a better job than I --just look st his post above with the photos!

I think this is a very worthwhile project!