Goldpick
Chris Johnson
I always love poking around country second hand and antique shops for interesting treasures and collectables. On this occasion we took a drive into Victoria and spotted a great looking antique shop during our travels, lots of interesting items, but one that at caught my eye was an old silver pocketwatch. It was a bit of a spur of the moment purchase, but I was eager to get home to carry out a bit of research, considering my previous knowledge on pocketwatches wasn't that comprehensive.
The information I dug up shows the hallmarks dating the sterling silver case back to 1882, from Birmingham/London, but more interestingly the watch was "made" by Thomas Gaunt who was a major manufacturer of clocks, watches, jewellery and scientific instruments based in Bourke Street, Melbourne. He specialised in manufacturing town clocks for public buildings in Melbourne and across Victoria, including the Melbourne Town Hall. Though despite bearing his name, the pocket watch was most likely mainly manufactured abroad, with the hallmarks suggesting that may be the case. The maker's name that is stamped on the inside is James Wintle of London.
The watch still works, though the action is a bit sticky, so I may get it professionally cleaned and serviced, to ensure a piece of history lives on for a while yet.
The information I dug up shows the hallmarks dating the sterling silver case back to 1882, from Birmingham/London, but more interestingly the watch was "made" by Thomas Gaunt who was a major manufacturer of clocks, watches, jewellery and scientific instruments based in Bourke Street, Melbourne. He specialised in manufacturing town clocks for public buildings in Melbourne and across Victoria, including the Melbourne Town Hall. Though despite bearing his name, the pocket watch was most likely mainly manufactured abroad, with the hallmarks suggesting that may be the case. The maker's name that is stamped on the inside is James Wintle of London.
The watch still works, though the action is a bit sticky, so I may get it professionally cleaned and serviced, to ensure a piece of history lives on for a while yet.