Here we have an antique circa 1918 Fears Ltd of Bristol Bridge, silver cased pocket watch. It is an open face pocket watch measuring just under 51mm wide. It has the classic double hinged case back. There is a push button to the pendant which releases the back to allow you to wind and set the time. The dial is a classic bright white enamel with the railroad track around the exterior and the bold Roman numerals. It is signed below 12 ‘Fears Ltd, Bristol Bridge, Bristol’. At 6 o’clock is the inset sub-seconds with the railroad track. The hands are of the classic spade and whip style. The case has hallmarking from London assay office dating to 1918. The key wind and set movement has been recently serviced and is keeping reliable time. A silver albert chain is attached to the bow and has a correct sized key to the end. This means the pocket watch is ready to wear and enjoy.

Enamel dials are a real joy when in good condition such as this. The bright white tone is clean and provides the perfect contrast for the black signing. It has a clear railroad track around the exterior with the bold, elongated Roman numerals catching the eye. Below 12 proudly sits the ‘Fears Ltd’ signing with the ‘Bristol Bridge, Bristol’ text. At 6 o’clock is the inset sub-second dial which has the clear railroad track. The hands are of the classic spade and whip style.

Fears called Bristol Bridge their home for 74 years from 1866 until 1940. Sadly, their beautiful premises was badly damaged by Luftwaffe bombing during November of 1940. It was not salvageable, and the company had to relocate.

It is uncommon to see the full Bristol Bridge signing on the dial of wrist watches, with it being more commonplace on the pocket watches. We love this signing as it is a clear connection to the wonderful and historic premises.

The case is the classic open face with the double hinged case back. It measures 50.75mm wide, making it a size 25s. The bezel is hinged and lifts open by prising from the 1-2 o’clock position if necessary. To the top of the case is the pendant with the bow. The push button sits on top of the pendant which releases the outer hinged back. To the rear the case has the fish scale engraving which is intricate with its twisting appearance. To the centre is the cartouche which is defined and free of engraving. Inside the case is signed with hallmarking for silver from London assay office, with the date letter ‘C’ which dates the case to 1918. It also has the makers mark initials ‘W.H.S.’ for William Henry Sparrow of Spencer Street, Birmingham. It has a personal engraving to the inside to a ‘W. Knight’. This appears to be a self-done engraving with a series of dotted impressions.

The inner case back has the two holes, the top for winding the watch and the middle for setting the hands. When opened the inside of this back has the matching hallmarking and serial number.

The movement is protected by its fitted cover which is released by sliding the thermally blued lock to the left-hand side.

The movement is a key wind and set, Swiss Lever movement. It has the gilt ¾ plate layout with 15 jewels. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time.

The pocket watch comes on a sterling silver albert chain. It has hallmarking from Birmingham assay office dating to 1911, with the ‘HP’ makers mark of Henry Pope, Pitsford Street, Birmingham. It has the individually hallmarked links and is in good antique condition. It has a correct sized winding key fitted to the end.

Bold Timepieces are an authenticated retailer of Fears Heritage watches, in partnership with Fears Watch Company.

Every watch or pocket watch offered as a ‘Fears Heritage’ piece has been fully inspected by both Bold Timepieces and Fears Watch Company. The timepieces are fully serviced in Fears workshops and come with a one year mechanical warranty for peace of mind.

As an authenticated Fears Heritage watch, this will come with the hand signed extract from the Fears archive detailing the specifics of it. It is presented in a modern Fears outer box with the suspended, transparent inner casing. Also accompanying it will be a Fears owner club invite, with a Fears cleaning cloth.

Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A full condition report is below.

Dial:
The dial is original and is in very good condition with no wear to the signing. It also has no chips or cracking to the enamel.

Hands:
The hour and minute hand would appear to be an older replacement. The gold tone does not match the sub-second hand, which is original. They are in decent antique condition with a bright tone.

Glass:
The glass is original. It has some light marking to the edges as expected with age.

Loop:
The pendant and loop are original and are in good condition. The loop shows slight signs of wear from a chain.

Case:
It is a silver case of open-face design. It is in good antique condition, with light surface scratching. It has some light nicks associated with age. It is a good tone, with light tarnishing. The hinged bezel is good and secure.

Caseback:
The hinged case back is in good condition and closes tightly. It has the fishscale engraving with the cartouche to the centre.

Movement:
The movement is protected by its original fitted cover. It is a key wind and set, Swiss Lever movement. It has the gilt ¾ plate layout with 15 jewels.

It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time.

Case dimensions
Case width: 50.75mm
Case length: 50.75mm
Case length with pendant: 61mm
Case length with bow: 72.5mm
Case depth: 17mm