Help Indetify gold watch

[amiles]

HI All

hoping someone can help. I have this gold fob watch with what appears to be hallmarks and a makers mark. I have done some basic research but am not too confident in what i have found.
From what i can see it is 18k gold and appears to be from the london assay office. Inside the watch is marked W Holland Rock Ferry and Liverpool.
However the makers mark is a JW so im at a bit of a loss.

If you can have a look at the photos at the link below and give me your thoughts it would be much appreciated

http://adrianmiles.myphotoalbum.com/vie ... me=album04
Adrian
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[2209patrick]

Hello Adrian. Many British watchmakers had someone else make the watch case. I read your marks as 18 carat gold, London, 1957.
Not sure of the maker, could be Joseph Walton.

Regards,
Pat.
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[amiles]

HI Pat

thanks for your input, what confuses me here is that the watch itself is marked W Holland, and the info i can find for W Holland is he operated in the Chester area much earlier in the 1800's??

Adrian
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[amiles]

Can anyone else pass an opinion on my watch?
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[dognose]

Hi Adrian, I agree with Pat on the dating of the watch case, presumably the case is a later replacment with period style engraving?
regards Trev.
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[amiles]

HI Thanks for your input also.
I took the watch to an antique watch maker here in melbourne on the weekend. He dated it 1897 - he described it as a high quality english peice
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[kerangoumar]

Hello Adrian-

you have a bit of a conundrum because you have a fine antique watch in what appears to be a modern case.

As a general rule (though with many exceptions) the smaller the hallmarks the modern they are likely to be. Also, the style of the "18" suggests a more recent date.

What really throws one off is the decoration of the monogram, which suggests earlier 20thC, and that was done to order for someone with the good taste to match the style to the watch. They go together so well that their age difference actually is irrelevant.
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[wolfgang]

Hi Adrian, sorry to intrude with a different oppinion. The photos are not extremely sharp, its difficult to recognize the shield around the year stamp. But for me its sure to be 1897 and original of the time. A William Holland is found 1878 in Brian Loomes vol.2 and with all the tiny repair inscriptions scratched by different watchmakers into the lid it cant be this new . For me it seems to be an all original watch with a movement of highest quality - kind regards - wolfgang
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[dnl]

Adrian,
If it helps, I agree with Wolfgang. Your case number and movement number are the same which indicates case and movement are still original. The date does appear as what I can see to also agree as 1897-98. It is a very nice piece. Enjoy it!
d
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