CCWMS = Coventry Co-operative Watch Manufacturing Society, Ltd. No 52053
Good machine-made watch by this most interesting firm, with a lovely commemorative dial.
£495.00
Silver barrel-edge case hallmarked London 1887, casemaker JW (probably Joseph Walton, Clerkenwell). Key-wound fullplate fusee movement with the CCWMS Maltese Cross trademark on the cock, the cap stamped W&A.O. Single-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, spiral balance-spring. Enamel dial with properly fired on and nicely hand painted image of Queen Victoria sporting a gold crown, under which are the words HER MAJESTY’S JUBILEE 1887, gold hands. 51.5 mm diameter.
The Coventry Cooperative Watch Manufacturing Society, Ltd, Spon St, Coventry was formed by a group of Coventry watch finishers who were shareholders in the Coventry Watch Movement Manufacturing Company Ltd, a separate company that was set up to manufacture rough movements in Coventry should the formation of the Lancashire Watch Company restrict their usual supply from Prescot and its environs. It is known that the CCWMS purchased and finished movements from the CWMC – see the article on the CWMC by D H Bacon in the Summer 1993 issue of Antiquarian Horology, page 502 onwards. This watch was also featured in an article in December 1999 issue of CLOCKS magazine.
While items bearing the Maltese cross stamp are uncommon, the company also produced a range of ‘tourbillon’ (actually karrusel) watches, but the company is almost never properly recognised or catalogued when offered at auction.
The watch showing light wear throughout, and the dial with the usual faint hair cracks, otherwise an unusual example of the work of this little known Coventry firm, and rare considering I do not remember seeing another example. Not serviced by me but ticking when wound, and a supplied with a key of the correct size.
Item reserved
Description
Silver barrel-edge case hallmarked London 1887, casemaker JW (probably Joseph Walton, Clerkenwell). Key-wound fullplate fusee movement with the CCWMS Maltese Cross trademark on the cock, the cap stamped W&A.O. Single-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, spiral balance-spring. Enamel dial with properly fired on and nicely hand painted image of Queen Victoria sporting a gold crown, under which are the words HER MAJESTY’S JUBILEE 1887, gold hands. 51.5 mm diameter.
The Coventry Cooperative Watch Manufacturing Society, Ltd, Spon St, Coventry was formed by a group of Coventry watch finishers who were shareholders in the Coventry Watch Movement Manufacturing Company Ltd, a separate company that was set up to manufacture rough movements in Coventry should the formation of the Lancashire Watch Company restrict their usual supply from Prescot and its environs. It is known that the CCWMS purchased and finished movements from the CWMC – see the article on the CWMC by D H Bacon in the Summer 1993 issue of Antiquarian Horology, page 502 onwards. This watch was also featured in an article in December 1999 issue of CLOCKS magazine.
While items bearing the Maltese cross stamp are uncommon, the company also produced a range of ‘tourbillon’ (actually karrusel) watches, but the company is almost never properly recognised or catalogued when offered at auction.
The watch showing light wear throughout, and the dial with the usual faint hair cracks, otherwise an unusual example of the work of this little known Coventry firm, and rare considering I do not remember seeing another example. Not serviced by me but ticking when wound, and a supplied with a key of the correct size.