English Silver Half Hunter by Lancashire Watch Company

Description

English Silver Half Hunter by Lancashire Watch Company
Silver case hallmarked Chester 1898 has inscription on inside cover and was presented to F Emmett, on outside of back has has initials insrcibed F E. The case maker TPH is stamped on inside, this is the makers mark for the managing director of the Lancashire Watch company.
The English 3/4 plate jewelled lever movement with overcoiled hairspring, split bi-metallic balance and is numbered 173403.
White enamelled dial and blue steel hands

Diameter 52.5mm

The Lancashire Watch Company of Prescot was founded in 1889 by Thomas P. Hewitt as a rival to the large American and Swiss watch companies. Until the late 19th century, Prescot had been the centre of the watchmaking trade in England. The workers produced watch parts in small workshops attached to their cottages and were paid by piece work. By 1889 the American System of Watch Manufacturing meant that the Waltham Watch Company and others could produce watches at a much lower price and the town fell into decline. In 1889 a company was formed and eventually a large factory was built to create complete watches under one roof. The products produced had more in common with earlier American designs than traditional English fusee watches. Because of economies of scale the Lancashire Watch Company struggled to compete with the larger American and Swiss factories. It could not make a profit and went bankrupt in 1910. In the 21 years it operated over 400,000 watches were made.

PWHH059