Birmingham Makers Mark A.B

[esrun]

Could anyone help with the makers mark on a couple of pocket watches I have purchased. They are both hallmarked for Birmingham, the first dates to 1888 with the second to 1897. They both are stamped "A.B" which I can not find any information on at all. I will hopefully will be able to provide photos shortly. Both watches have Waltham movements which also date to the same era's as the hallmarks.
Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks, Andy.

[2209patrick]

The Waltham Watch Company, Waltham, Massachusetts, opened an office in London in 1874. They did not make their own watch cases.

The mark A.B stands for Alfred Bedford, manager of the American Waltham Watch Company's London office. He was somehow associated with Aaron Dennison who had left Waltham in 1862 and moved to Birmingham, England, in the early 1870's. In Birmingham he gradually built up a substantial watch case making business under his own name. Because of some lingering bitterness resulting from his departure, Waltham did not like to see Aaron Dennison's name on their English cases; hence the use of Alfred Bedford's A.B mark. (Information from Priestley, English Watch Case Makers 1720-1920.)

Regards,
Pat.

[esrun]

Thanks Pat, info greatly appreciated.