Superb 1881 Half-hunter Silver Fusee Pocket Watch, by John Jones

A superb 1881 half-hunter silver fusee pocket watch of the very highest order, by master watchmaker John Jones, of 338 Strand, London, (and a “Maker to the Admiralty”). Jones is one of the most famous London watchmakers of his time, known both domestically and international for his precision workmanship and exacting levels of horological engineering and for his pioneering work in same, his fine work retailing at some of the highest prices in the markets of the day. He also had several clock and watch specialist jewellery outlets at the height of his success and was a large importer of up-market foreign timepieces. It also would appear from literature, that Jones was "his own man, with his own views", often upsetting the horological establishment with his comments, actions and behaviours! Jones was also a Vice-President of the British Horological Institute (Bhi) and was credited for putting the Institute in a much better financial position during his tenure and for instigating a range of important training courses for the industry. This, along with being an integral part of helping the institute to purchasing new headquarters in Northampton Square, London in 1878. Hallmarked London 1881, this top-winding watch is signed by Jones on both the backplate and white enamelled dial. Retaining its original blued hands, the dial also has a subsidiary second’s dial and records the watches case and movement serial number “27623.” The fusee driven movement has a silver balance with diamond end stone, and the case maker was George James Thickbroom (“Gjt”) of Clerkenwell, London. As one might imagine, English watches made by John Jones are highly sought after by collectors today and this immaculate example is no exception... The watch comes in an executive Pu leather storage / display case, together with instructions on how to wind and set the watch time. The watch comes in an executive Pu leather storage / display case. Note: This watch does not come with a chain or fob. If you require a silver chain/fob from our large stock. Please contact us for advice.