We have here the opportunity to own a very early wristwatch and not far from its 100th birthday ! This watch dial screams Art Deco style, Made from solid English hallmarked silver (SFC case stamp explained below) Quite distinctive Deco ,Arabic numerals with outer railway minute track and beautiful ornate blue steel hands. Produced by the famous Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Jewellers to the Crown who also had Establishments in our local area of Clerkenwell london . Marked inside the case with full English Hallmarks and decorative engraving on the case sides.
The three piece round case measures 30mm at it longest and widest points and we are sure you will agree it's proportioned perfectly for a slimmer wrist. It has fixed lugs with a dark brown simple open end strap. Inside is the mechanical manual wind Cyma Tavanes caliber, 214 - An in-house Swiss caliber produced with,15Jewels and fully serviced by us . Obviously this watch would be suitable for special occasions due to its antique age and not really an everyday watch
Extra Points
The firm was established in 1880 by William Gibson (d. 1913) and John Lawrence Langman (1846-1928). The firm was active at 112 Regent Street, London acquiring the premises previously used by John Joseph Mechi. In 1893 the firm absorbed The Goldsmiths' Alliance Ltd (late A.B. Savory & Sons) and in 1898 became the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd being active as jewellers, dealers in diamonds and precious stones, silversmiths, electroplaters and watch and clock makers. In 1952 Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd was amalgamated with Garrard & Co Ltd. The firm participated to a number of national and international exhibitions, as Indian and Colonial Exhibition (London, 1886), Paris (1889), Chicago (1893), California (1894), Paris (1900) and Franco-British Exhibition (London, 1908). The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co was active with manufactures at Newcastle Place, Clerkenwell; Regent Works, Sheffield and Rue St George, Paris and as retailer of items supplied by various British gold and silver manufacturers (Martin Hall & Co Ltd, W&G Sissons, Wakely & Wheeler, William Comyns, Harrison Brothers & Howson, etc.)
SFC: Schwob Frères & Co, La Chaux-de-Fonds
SFC: Schwob Frères & Co
This mark of SFC in the very unusual and distinctive surround was registered in Edinburgh on 1 August 1926 in the name of Schwob Frères & Co. Ltd. S.A. of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
It is strange that a Swiss address is given, registrants had to have a UK address for obvious reasons – where to send invoices, if no other reason. The Edinburgh book of registrations indicates that a similar SFC mark was registered by Robert Pringle & Sons, so it seems that the Robert Pringle company was acting as UK assay agents for Schwob Frères, but that Schwob wanted to have their own distinctive sponsor's mark so Pringle registered this mark in their name. In the event of any problem or dispute, Pringle in the UK would be the responsible party.
Schwob Frères & Co. registered its name in Switzerland in 1881 for watch movements and cases. The company worked in close cooperation with the Tavannes Watch Company, seeTavannes Watch Co., Schwob Frères and Cyma.
CHRONOLOGY The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co - 1880 - 1898 The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - from 1898 amalgamated with Garrard & Co - 1952
The watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with our 12 months, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
So not our usual type of offering here at AWC but we like to provide diversity and quality and real antiques This fantastic example of 1920s workmanship will appeal to all tastes and we absolutely adore it. If made today this piece would be retailing new in access of £1500 - would likely be battery powered.
From one of the high-end jewellers of its time and makers for Royalty this watch is the very definition of classic. With clear nods to Artdeco designs, but still very much in keeping with discreet English jewellery designs, this is the perfect watch for every collection! and very nearly a century in existence. A special watch and affordable for special occasions .
Age : 1921/1930 Specific Age : Circa 1930s Case Size : 30mm Case Thickness : 6.5mm Lug to Lug : 38mm Lugs : 16mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : Ni Case Material : Sterling silver Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1928 Art deco solid 925 sterling silver Goldsmiths & Silversmiths watch English hallmarks
