Pocket Watch: Delightful Open-faced Silver Dial Fusee Pocket Watch by Bell & Dams of Uttoxeter, 1867

A truly delightful, silver cased, open-faced fusee pocket watch, by master watchmakers and jewellers, Benjamin Bell and Edward Dams, of 2 High Street, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. • Silver hallmarked London 1867. • Silver dial and subsidiary second’s dial, with an engine turned soleil sunburst Guilloché pattern. • Gold outer garlanded ring, with hand-engraved central floral decoration. • Raised Gothic style gold Roman numerals. • Original blued hands. • Fusee movement (numbered: “4573”), with compensated balance and diamond end stone. • Engraved Coventry ‘Star’ mark on the regulator scale, (the endorsement of exceptional engineering quality!) • Case maker was Henry Buckland (“Hb”), of Moat Street, Coventry. • Initialled dust cap. • Comes with a winding key, together with instructions on how to wind and set the watch time. Bell, born 1809 in Uttoxeter, came from a family heritage of well-known Uttoxeter watch and clock makers, and took over the business from his father, Edward Bell, during the 1830’s. However, in 1864, Bell went into partnership with his nephew Dams (born 1845, in Burton-on-Trent). The partnership soon became known for producing watches of the highest standard, such as this beautiful piece, and on Bell’s retirement, c1870 the younger Dams went onto run the business until he too retired in 1906. Bell passed away on 20 July 1879, aged 70 years old, and Dams passed away in 1910. Dams was succeeded by Edwin Saxelby until c1921, who had worked for the firm for 40 years and during the late 1860’s/early 1870’s, was an apprentice watch maker under Benjamin Bell. Note: This watch does not come with a chain or fob. If you require a silver chain/fob from our large stock, please contact us for advice. Payment - We Accept: - Debit / Credit Cards. - Bacs Transfer. (Our bank details are on our invoices). - PayPal, via this site.