Lovely 1882 Centre Seconds Chronograph Fusee Pocket Watch by John Blackhurst, Crewe

Exceptional high-quality “Centre Seconds Chronograph” silver fusee pocket watch, by master watchmaker John Blackhurst, of 54 Market Street, Crewe, Cheshire. Silver hallmarked Chester 1882. - Gold hinges and start/stop slide button. - White enamelled dial with original gold main hands and sweep centre seconds’ hand. Roman hour numerals and 0-300 chronograph scale Arabic numerals. - J. Blackhurst signed chain fusee movement, with three-quarter plate, bimetallic balance, and diamond end stone. - Engraved Coventry ‘Star’ mark on the regulator scale, (the endorsement of exceptional engineering quality!) - Case maker was Joseph Sharpe (“JS”) of Coventry. - Case and movement serial numbers the same: “27206.” - Comes with a winding key. Blackhurst was born on 7 April 1844, at Over, Cheshire, the son of well-known watch and clockmaker James Blackhurst of Over. He was first listed as working from Market Street, Crewe c1867, and by 1883, was employing ”6 men & 1 boy”, and was trade listed as being a jeweller, silversmith and optician from these premises, as well as a “…maker of church turret & house clocks.” By the 1901 Blackhurst had moved to Cathcart Hill, Islington, London with wife Emma and their children, from where he was listed as a clockmaker. However, he must have moved again back to the north, because he passed away on 9 August 1904 in Betley, Staffordshire, probate being granted to wife Emma on the 24 August 1904 at ‘The Square, Main Road, Betley’, a large and Listed residential property that remains today. Payment - We Accept: - Debit / Credit Cards. - BACS Transfer. (Our bank details are on our invoices). - Cash. (If collecting or on delivery).