For sale we have an outstanding example of a 1980/81 Garrard 9ct gold dress watch, with central second, Arabic 12 and quickset date function. It is powered by the MSR T16 movement, which is functioning well. It has a presentation engraving to the rear from Rolls Royce LTD, Bristol. It comes on its original Garrard leather strap. It is in excellent overall condition, with no signs of wear. 
 
It has a 33.5mm case, of classic dress watch dimensions. It has a depth of just under 10mm, with the tapered lugs measuring 40mm in length. Clean and comfortable, this is an ideal size on any wrist. It is a two-piece case, with the rear holding the movement and pressing into the front of the case with the lugs and the fixed bevelled bezel. It has polished finishing across the case, with the yellow gold being a beautiful and even tone. It has the original coin edge crown to the right which is neat. 
The satin silver sunburst dial is eye-catching and is once again, a classic of the dress watch. It is very well executed with thin baton markers, with black painted stipe. This ties in with the baton style hands, having the matching black stipe to the centre. There is an applied arabic 12 to the top of the dial, which breaks up the dial nicely. At 3 O’clock is the date window, with black boarder and facetted sides falling to meet the disc. A classic date wheel with white background and black arabic numerals. The dial is simply signed “Garrard” “Automatic”, with “Swiss movement” to the base. 
The case back has a brushed finish to the face, with polished outer section. It has a personal presentation engraving “Rolls-Royce Limited Bristol, T.H. Bence, 1981”.
Inside, the case back is hallmarked by London assay office, as 9ct gold. It has the makers mark for David Shackman & Sons, a well-respected English case maker. 
 
The movement is an MSR T16, signed by Garrard, which is an ETA 2824 base calibre. It has a jewel count of 25, with a quickset date. It operates at a high beat frequency of 28,800 BPH, ensuring a smooth sweep of the second hand. It’s keeping time to +15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 275 degrees. 
 
The watch comes on its original Garrards leather strap which is in very good condition and is soft/easy to wear.
 
This is an excellent example, in pretty much unworn condition. 
 
The tradition of the solid gold retirement watch in Great British firms was widely practiced throughout the 50s, 60, 70s and 80s. A gold watch would be presented to celebrate long serving employees, or upon their retirement, as a sign of gratitude. Great British firms tended to bulk purchase watches from other British firms, such as Smiths watches, or retailers such as Garrards and Mappin and Webb. 
 
During the late 1950s and 60s, there were significant changes in the British Aerospace sector, including aero-engine manufacturers. In 1966, Rolls-Royce acquired Bristol Siddeley, whose principal factory was in Filton. It had a strong base in military engines, including the Olympus, Viper, Pegasus and Orpheus. It also manufactured the Olympus 593 Mk610 to be used in Concorde. 
 
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 excellent original condition. The silver sunburst finish is bright. The applied hour markers are excellent with no marking. There is one very small mark between the hands and the date window.  
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and are in very good condition. The gold tone is excellent, with black stripe to the centre. They are free of any bending.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement and is in perfect condition. 
 
Crown: 
The crown is original and is in very good condition.
 
Case:
The case is 9ct gold and is in very good condition. The polished finish is excellent and original with slight surface scratching. The hallmark on the tip of the lug is clear and well defined. 
 
Caseback:
The 9ct gold snap on back is in very good original condition. It remains unpolished, with the brushed finish to the flat face and polished outer section. It has light surface scratches, with no major marking or notches to the side from opening. It has a personal presentation engraving. 
 
Strap: 
The watch is on its original Garrard leather strap. It is in good condition and if soft, with plenty of life left in it.
 
Movement: 
The movement is an MSR T16, signed by Garrard, which is an ETA 2824 base calibre. It has a jewel count of 25, with a quickset date. It operates at a high beat frequency of 28,800 BPH. 
 
The movement is running well, but the service history in unknown. It’s keeping time to +15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 275 degrees and a beat error of 0.0m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 33.5mm
Case width with crown: 35.25mm
Case length: 34mm
Case length lug to lug: 40mm
Case Depth: 9.75mm
Lug width: 18mm