Here we have a 1954 Garrard Silver cushion case watch, of a classic style, with a personal engraving to an employee of British firm Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). The 29mm Sterling Silver case was made by famous British casemaker Dennison and has British hallmarking dating it to 1954. The dial is a silver tone with the luminous Arabic numerals and the sub-second dial at 6 O’clock. It has thermally blued hour and minute hands, with the Radium luminous nicely aged. The sub-second hand is of a large size and eye-catching design. The rear of the case has the personal engraving. Inside is the ETA 1120 movement, which is manual wind. It has shock proofing and has been recently serviced and is keeping reliable time.
 
The case is a classic cushion case, with the typically compact dimensions. It measures 29mm x 29mm, with a depth of 9cm. It is a comfortable wear and an enjoyable classic size. It has the two-piece case design with the front holding the crystal with the silver wire lugs attached. The rear snaps into place and holds the movement and dial. It has the polished finish and has a little tarnishing. The rear has the personal engraving, with the inside of the case having the British hallmarking. The case is manufactured by Dennison and has the Birmingham assay office mark, with the date letter ‘E’. 
 
The ETA 1120 movement is a good quality manual wind calibre. It has the Cote De Geneve striped finishing and benefits from shock proofing. After its recent service, it is keeping accurate time to within +30 seconds a day.
 
The case back has a personal engraving, with the watch ‘Presented to R.G. Jackson, 20 years service, 1954’ from ‘Imperial Chemical Industries LTD’.
 
This is a mid-century, cushion case presentation watch. Some people enjoy the engravings due to the history. Others dislike them as they permanently brand a watch, rending it a typecast example. 
We enjoy these presentation watches for what they represent and the importance of respect and appreciation between employers and employees. They are even better in our eyes, when they embody collaboration between important British firms such as this. We see the presentation watch as forming a very important part of wristwatch history in Britain up until the tradition died out in the 1980s.
 
Garrard
Garrard & Co. Limited were founded in London in 1735 and are designers and manufacturers of luxury jewellery and silver.  The brand’s HQ is at Albemarle Street in Mayfair. Such is their pedigree that they were the first official Crown Jeweller of the United Kingdom, having supplied jewels for Queen Victoria, and was charged with the upkeep of the British Crown jewels, from 1843 to 2007. It was also responsible for the creation of many tiaras and jewels still worn by the British royal family today. 
They were also known for having created some of the most famous sporting trophies, including the America’s Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy and trophies for Royal Ascot. 
 
Imperial Chemical Industries LTD
Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) was a British chemical company. It was, for much of its history, the largest manufacturer in Britain. It was formed by the merger of four leading British chemical companies in 1926. Its HQ were at Millbank in London and the company was part of the FT 30 and the FTSE 100 indices.
 
ICI more recently, made general chemicals, plastics, paints, pharmaceuticals and speciality products, including food ingredients, speciality polymers, electronic materials, fragrances and flavourings.
 
In its early years, the company produced chemicals, explosives, fertilisers, insecticides, dyestuffs, non-ferrous metals and paints. It had a turnover of 27 million in its first year.
 
They were responsible for a number of breakthroughs in the development of new chemical products and during the Second World War, ICI was involved with the United Kingdoms nuclear weapons programme, codenamed Tube Alloys.
 
In the 1940s and 1950s, the company established its pharmaceutical business and developed a number of products, including Paludrine (an anti-malarial drug,) halothane (an inhalational anaesthetic agent), beta-blockers and breast cancer drugs. 
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is in good condition for the age. It is a silver satin tone which is good and even. It has luminous Arabic numerals, with the aged radium lume. The signing is good and clear. There are some spots of blemishes with age.
 
Hands: 
The hands are thermally blued with the original lume in-fill. They are in good condition with the thermally blued finish having a good shine.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement and is in very good condition. 
 
Crown: 
The crown is a later replacement but is in good condition and fits the size of the watch well.
 
Case:
The case is formed of Silver and is in decent condition for the age. The polished finish is good with light surface scratching. The Silver lugs are good, sturdy and straight. There are some more noticeable marks to the sides of the case.
 
Caseback:
The Silver case back is in good condition. It has a polished finish and has light scratching and marking associated with age. It closes tightly and holds the movement well. It has a personal engraving. It remains unpolished.
 
Strap: 
The watch is on a new leather strap for fixed lugs with metal tabs.
 
Movement: 
The movement is an ETA 1120. It is a manual wind calibre with a jewel count of 17. It has a power reserve of 43 hours with a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It benefits from shock protection.
 
The watch has been recently serviced. It is keeping time to within +30 seconds deviation a day, with an amplitude of 255 degrees and a beat error of 0.0m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 29mm
Case width with crown: 30.5mm 
Case length: 29.25mm 
Case length lug to lug: 32.4mm
Case Depth: 9mm
Lug width: 16mm