English Coastguard Watch with Silver Dust Cover
£950.00
A 19th Century English lever with silver dust cover in a silver open face case. Full plate gilt keywind movement with silver hallmarked dust cover, pierced to reveal the table of the engraved cock. Going barrel wound by a transfer wheel in order to wind in the same direction as a fusee watch. Compensation balance with blue steel spiral hairspring, polished steel Bosley regulator. Club foot lever escapement. Signed white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Roman numerals, blue steel gilt hands. Silver open face case, faded vacant shield shaped cartouche and garter on the back cover, ribbed middle. Number corresponding to that on the movement and maker's mark "WE" in an oval which is repeated on the silver dust cover.
An interesting watch. It is unusual for watches of the period to have silver dust covers and even more unusual for them to be hallmarked and include the makers stamp. This is for William Ehrhardt, Watch and Watchcase Maker, 72 Great Hampton Street, Birmingham. They supplied English made watches bearing their own name as well to smaller retailers around the country. Manufacturing began in 1855 and continued until December 1923. The retailer, John Masters, was born in Tenterden in1846 (d. 1928), apprenticed to William Whitehead in Sevenoaks, Kent, 1863. In 1869 he took over the business of CF Lewnes in Rye. By 1885 he had been recognised as a master of his craft and "a credited watch supplier to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle". In 1893 he was elected Mayor of Rye.
Technical Specifications
- Reference Number
- A11104
- Hallmarked Birmingham
- 1876
- Signed
- J N Masters - Rye - Coastguard Watch - Made in England
- Dimensions
- Diameter 56 mm
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