Sapper Mike Posted 12 June , 2018 Share Posted 12 June , 2018 Dear all, I previously served as a Royal Engineer soldier for 23 1/2 years leaving in Dec 1999. I have for some years owned a H Williamson Ltd issue Pocket Watch Ser No. 25569F. Is it possible to find out via records who this watch was issued to? Thanks in advance. Kind regards Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 12 June , 2018 Share Posted 12 June , 2018 Hi Mike Welcome to the Forum, I too have an H. Williamson no. 27777F, try as I might, I have yet to find any records of issuing details, however I have not given up hope......yet. My concern is that last week I wound it up and it just stopped working, apparently it is dirt build up rather than mechanical, just waiting now for the estimate. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyH Posted 12 June , 2018 Share Posted 12 June , 2018 (edited) I took in to a local specialist a couple of weeks ago, a non running silver pocket watch (dated 1894, it cost me £40) for cleaning and service. The estimate was £253.00! Needless to say I have not gone ahead with this. I have a similar example, but dated 1904 in perfect working order, this was a little over £60 on ebay. Mike. Edited 12 June , 2018 by MikeyH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 12 June , 2018 Share Posted 12 June , 2018 One advantage of living over here is that there are still properly-trained watchsmiths galore! Your GBP 235 estimate would probably be TL 250 or so here, a fifth of the price, last time I had my 1890's timepiece checked-over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 Hi Trajan Can I see a business opportunity here? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 1 hour ago, Knotty said: Hi Trajan Can I see a business opportunity here? John Possible, possible...!!! Actually, these pocket watches turn up frequently in the local Antika Pazari - I have never really looked at them but hard to miss when seeing 20-15 on a table! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 An idle momment googling while lunching - I guess you guys know this page? http://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/990103944/m/3581015271 Some discussion on those serial numbers but nothing about tracking down who they were issues to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sapper Mike Posted 13 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 13 June , 2018 Hi John, let me know the quote as I was given a £600 one however I am getting mine sorted for £125 plus postage..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 Will do Mike, just waiting for the chap to come back off holiday, should be back end of next week. He works exclusively for a local jewellers with a couple of shops here and surrounding towns, so at least there is no postage Thanks Trajan, yes I have seen that page a few times in my searching as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 (edited) The firm of Henry Williamson was founded in Coventry in 1871, the city being one of the leading watch manufacturing centres in the country at that time. In 1920 it was merged with Grimshaw and Baxter. Try contacting the Coventry Watch Musem whose staff are very knowledgable and helpful: http://tinyurl.com/y92ne2yw TR [late RE] Edited 13 June , 2018 by Terry_Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 Thank you Terry for the link, will give it a try at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 Or we could study this little gem and do it ourselves...........I don't think so http://www.90thidpg.us/Reference/Manuals/TM 9-1575.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 3 hours ago, Knotty said: Will do Mike, just waiting for the chap to come back off holiday, should be back end of next week. He works exclusively for a local jewellers with a couple of shops here and surrounding towns, so at least there is no postage Does he venture as far south as Worcester?, I picked up a 1916 Rolex wristwatch that needs a hair spring and local chap couldn't locate one. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 (edited) 42 minutes ago, Dave66 said: Does he venture as far south as Worcester?, I picked up a 1916 Rolex wristwatch that needs a hair spring and local chap couldn't locate one. Dave. I thought that this thread was to do with finding out about the WW1 origins of said time piece, not about 21st century watch repairers. Please show the OP some respect. TR Edited 13 June , 2018 by Terry_Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 Don't see any disrespect here, just the normal standard of often obscure related advice that makes the forum - at its best - so helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 53 minutes ago, Terry_Reeves said: I thought that this thread was to do with finding out about the WW1 origins of said time piece, not about 21st century watch repairers. Please show the OP some respect. TR No disrespect intended whatsoever, so apologies if needed, .but care and maintinence of any period timepiece is both interesting and crucial to keep them maintained properly. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 Off topic information. i own two WW1 'officers' wristlet watches. The First is silver, the second gold with initials, regimental badge, and the words PEACE 1919. It was a present from my late wife and my son. Sadly two officers in the regiment share exactly the same initials. I wear the watch every year on the night of New Year. Both keep good time and are greatly loved - if rarely worn, the risk of loosing them is just to great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 47 minutes ago, David Filsell said: Off topic information. i own two WW1 'officers' wristlet watches. The First is silver, the second gold with initials, regimental badge, and the words PEACE 1919. It was a present from my late wife and my son. Sadly two officers in the regiment share exactly the same initials. I wear the watch every year on the night of New Year. Both keep good time and are greatly loved - if rarely worn, the risk of loosing them is just to great. They become part of the family history, still working a century later and priceless. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 13 June , 2018 Share Posted 13 June , 2018 11 minutes ago, Dave66 said: They become part of the family history, still working a century later and priceless. Dave. Fair play to anyone who can recommend a specialist to keep things working at reasonable cost, imho, which is what Mike was asking in post #8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sapper Mike Posted 16 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 June , 2018 On 13/06/2018 at 20:28, David Filsell said: Off topic information. i own two WW1 'officers' wristlet watches. The First is silver, the second gold with initials, regimental badge, and the words PEACE 1919. It was a present from my late wife and my son. Sadly two officers in the regiment share exactly the same initials. I wear the watch every year on the night of New Year. Both keep good time and are greatly loved - if rarely worn, the risk of loosing them is just to great. Great story Dave, thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 2 July , 2018 Share Posted 2 July , 2018 Hi Mike Update on my Pocket Watch repair, just been informed that one of the regulator jewels needs replacing and a new regulator part required, which caused the intermittent running failure, it also needs the dirt build up to be cleaned and a general servicing, total cost to be £180 including a guarantee. On your picture #3, with the back off, it is that part on top of the fancy scroll work. I’m happy at that price, will call in again tomorrow, and Dave I will ask about your Rolex spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loganshort Posted 2 July , 2018 Share Posted 2 July , 2018 Good to know about costs (expensive) of repairing WW1 period time pieces. From restoring a Brodie helmet or a mauser bayonet to restoring a WW1 pocket watch and discovering more about the items is all part of sharing knowledge for us. However, given the cost of repairs I think i will just remain happy winding up my watch now and then to make it tick for a few minutes before it stops again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 2 July , 2018 Share Posted 2 July , 2018 11 hours ago, Knotty said: Hi Mike Update on my Pocket Watch repair, just been informed that one of the regulator jewels needs replacing and a new regulator part required, which caused the intermittent running failure, it also needs the dirt build up to be cleaned and a general servicing, total cost to be £180 including a guarantee. On your picture #3, with the back off, it is that part on top of the fancy scroll work. I’m happy at that price, will call in again tomorrow, and Dave I will ask about your Rolex spring. Many thanks knotty, appreciate that. nice to preserve these things, probably won't need touching for years after repairs and a good clean. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 2 July , 2018 Share Posted 2 July , 2018 27 minutes ago, loganshort said: Good to know about costs (expensive) of repairing WW1 period time pieces. Had mine for several years, used to wind it up and it would to go for 36 hours, but gradually started decreasing to about 18/24 hrs, then it recently stopped, now won’t go without a bit of a shake. I decided that if it has been going for at least 100 years, then my investment should hopefully keep it going for another few decades. The cost is alas, simply a reflection of a slowly dying profession. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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