Pocket watch identification

NotAGolf · 4 Jun 2018 at 21:47

I've just been given a pocket watch from my Dad that belonged to my Great Great Grandfather. No one knows much about it so I thought I'd turn to GD for assistance.

It's not in great nick, and I doubt it's worth anything, but I'm more interested in the age of it and any other info you folk my be able to find. I got as far as googling the name on the face of the watch (H Roberts London - apologies for the annoying placed hand!) but I found literally nothing relevant. I think it must be at least a couple of hundred years old but still keeps the time really well.

Pic below, and a few more pics here.

randomshenans · 4 Jun 2018 at 22:26

You sure it's not J Roberts?

DampCat · 4 Jun 2018 at 22:27

There are two historical entries for watchmakers in london for that name, Henry and Healen. Couldn't say if that's helpful or not.

I took my family's pocket watch to actual Antiques Roadshow and learned an insane amount about it. Where it was made, what year, why it was designed how it was. Fascinating. Worth a day out!

Agent_Smith357 · 5 Jun 2018 at 00:05

We need pictures of the movement, either the front folds open or the inner case on the back folds out.

gjrc · 5 Jun 2018 at 09:36

Agent_Smith357 said:
We need pictures of the movement, either the front folds open or the inner case on the back folds out.

this... there will be identifiers on the movement.

its a lovely thing though... #jealous

NotAGolf · 6 Jun 2018 at 22:51

Hmm, can't see how to open it. I managed to get the glass front off, but I'm worried I'll break it if I just keep pulling bits to get it to open up. Any ideas?

And it's definitely H Roberts.

a1ex2001 · 6 Jun 2018 at 22:58

looks like the face hinges upwards in the last shot

Dis86 · 6 Jun 2018 at 22:59

a1ex2001 said:
looks like the face hinges upwards in the last shot

I was thinking the same

Nurple · 6 Jun 2018 at 23:04

The Hinge at 12 oclock opens for sure

for example.

https://paradeantiques.co.uk/images...ed-18-carat-gold-fusee-pocket-watch-01_02.jpg

NO HOTLINKING!

Ahleckz · 6 Jun 2018 at 23:20

Have you seen this page on the British Museum?

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/publications/online_research_catalogues/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=57979&partid=1&output=Terms/!!/OR/!!/17366/!//!/gilded/!//!!//!!!/&orig=/research/publications/online_research_catalogues/russian_icons/catalogue_of_russian_icons/advanced_search.aspx&currentPage=2&catalogueOnly=true&catparentPageId=25390&catalogueName=&catalogueSection=&numpages=10

Very interestingly, they end their passage with:

What does remain obscure is the identity of H. Roberts: so far, no evidence of this maker has been found.

Perhaps this website has something to do with it, though the dates seem off:
https://www.hroberts-di.com/our-story-i1

H Roberts & Sons has been trading since 1964

Minusorange · 6 Jun 2018 at 23:45

I'm no expert but that definitely looks like a pocket watch

gjrc · 7 Jun 2018 at 10:06

Minusorange said:
I'm no expert but that definitely looks like a pocket watch

my god, i think you've cracked it.

ping8781 · 7 Jun 2018 at 11:10

What are the hallmarks on the top ring? They may point to date or maker?

Quartz · 7 Jun 2018 at 11:12

mpledge52 said:
I've just been given a pocket watch from my Dad that belonged to my Great Great Grandfather. No one knows much about it so I thought I'd turn to GD for assistance.

That looks very like my great-grandfather's. Dates from ~1890. There's useful info in the fourth picture: those look like hallmarks.

Quartz · 7 Jun 2018 at 11:17

The one thing you should not do is wind it up until it has been properly serviced. The oil inside evaporates over the years and you can ruin the mechanism. Take the watch to your local jeweller and they should be able to tell you all about it. Servicing may cost you a bit as it's specialist work.