Description
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Ref number: SHP4095
Gender: Mans
Brand: Alfred Russell
Model: Chronograph
Year: 1879
Model Number: 76005
Movement: Manual Lever Escapement
Setting: Key wind key set
Dial: White Porcelain
Case size:53.30mm across 75mm to top of bale
Case material: 18ct 750 Yellow gold
Glass : Mineral
Case shape: Round
Case back: Press back
Hands: Pencil & spade
Dial markers: Roman numerals
Extra & Sub Dials: N/A
Box and papers: N/A
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Firstly note we are watch dealers of distinction with over 50 years experience two generations in the field of Horology. I would like to address what I see on most watch adds here on eBay using the word rare those who use the term rare should define this word. Here for your consideration today we offer this outstanding antique time piece, from1879 a Centre seconds chronograph pocket watch in a full Hunter in solid 18ct 750 yellow gold by Alfred Russell The son of the great Chronometer watch & clock maker Thomas Russell. On research Alfred Russell time pieces are extremely rare and not many left in existence and this particular time piece is in time warp condition simply amazing original condition. Now I am not saying you will not find another similar time piece by Alfred Russell but you would have more chance of seeing a full Solar Eclipse than ever seeing a watch in this condition by this maker. On to the condition report firstly the the full hunter case weighing completely bare weighs 66.5 grams £5,985 today in gold content. The case is in totally original in beautiful gold no hard use present simply light blemishes that would polish out but we will not polish best left original, all hinges intact closures and opens perfect. Movement Centre stop chronograph lever escapement with compensated bi metal Balance high grade with fully signed plate. Amazingly being a high grade Swiss assembled movement it is keeping very accurate time with in the nearest minute. Service history obviously unknown under the eye loupe inspection a service would benefit the watch and bring it to precision time. Chronograph stop start is working perfectly. The dial amazingly perfect no porcelain loss or veins, the hands perfect including the blue steel centre chrono hand no oxidization. My Conclusion one for the serious pocket watch collector a museum piece and a very rare piece of horological history and a very safe long term investment.Thomas Russell was listed as a watch and chronometer maker in the local trade directory in 1848. Shortly after that (c1860) control of the company was handed over to Thomas Robert Russell & Alfred Holgate Russell when it became known as Thomas Russell & Son and they continued in partnership until c1870 when Alfred became an independent manufacturer of watches. His watches, both fusee and going barrel are not nearly so common as Thomas’ but can still be found. The company occupied a variety of premises; the early ‘manufactury’ was at 20 Slater Street, Liverpool and later moving to 30 Slater Street. When Thomas & Alfred parted company Thomas moved his Watch & Chronometer Manufactury to Cathedral Works, 18 Church Street Liverpool. Most notable of the Russel’s watches were the very fine chronometers and some very nice centre seconds chronographs in elegant gold cases. The early ‘workaday’ watches were marked ‘Time o’day’ and later with the Winged Wheel and Tempus Fugit trademark. Thomas Russell became arguably Liverpool ‘s finest watchmaker and the business produced quality watches and clocks, including the celebrated Russell Hunter pocket watch. Thomas Senior and his oldest son Thomas Robert were granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria indicating their rapid progress in watch manufacturing. Around 1859, Thomas handed over control of the business to his sons Thomas Robert and Alfred Holgate and the company changed its name to Thomas Russell & Son. Following Thomas Russell’s death in 1867 the business was divided into two; the trade side continued under the same name and was run by Alfred and Thomas ran Russells Limited. The retail business became importers of Swiss watches and music boxes. By 1877 the company had moved the business once more, this time to Cathedral Works, 12 Church Street, Liverpool, with additional offices at Piccadilly in London and Toronto, Canada. It was now known as the Russell Watch and Chronometer Manufactory and was listed in 1880 as “watch and chronometer manufacturers and machine-made keyless lever and jewellery merchants” and additionally, “by Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen and Hrm the Duke of Edinburgh and the Admiralty”. |