S. Weisser, Korumburra

The pocket watch we have discovered today is an Omega porcelain dial timepiece, retailed by S Weisser, in Korumburra. Omega released their first pocket watch in 1895 to the German market: A Lépine model equipped with the famous 19’’’ calibre. The serial number from the pocket watch (4293248) translates into the manufacturing year of 1914. It is a 7 jewel Omega movement, stem wound and stem set. >From as early as 1890, Solomon Weisser was an established watchmaker and jeweller in Melbourne, Victoria. Having married Lizzie Eames in 1891, by 1892 he had already set up two branches located in Surrey Hills and Box Hill. A newspaper clipping from 1982 reads: “Mr. S. Weisser, watchmaker and jeweller, notifies in our advertising columns that he has removed his Surrey Hills branch to Union Road (opposite station) where he hopes to receive a continuance of the patronage hitherto accorded him.” Reporter, 24th June 1892

And I believe he did receive a continuance of patronage. Having moved his Surry Hills store to Union Road, he continued to successfully run two Melbourne branches for a number of years, with repeated advertisements in the local newspaper between the years 1892 to 1895:

The Reporter, January 4th 1895 What’s a little confusing is that the porcelain dial reads ‘Korumburra’ and not Melbourne, despite Weisser’s first two stores being located here. Clearly, Weisser either travelled into the city for business or moved to Korumburra in later years. Korumburra a small town located on the South Gippsland Highway, south east of Melbourne. Surrounded by stunning green hills, the town itself was a coal mining town, were much of its wealth and prosperity began in the early 1890s. As this pocket watch dates to 1914, it would seem that by this point Weisser had a pretty successful branch set up in Korumburra, especially as he was retailing Omega pocket watches. The image below was taken in 1909, and S. Weisser Watchmaker & Jeweller can be seen on the left, situated on Commercial St, Korumburra.

Like many watchmakers and jewellers in the 19th and early 20th century, Weisser was also an optometrist. In fact, he was one of the first optometrists to be registered in 1936, after the Opticians Registration Act 1935, at 70 years of age. Weisser’s wife sadly passed away just a year later (1937), leaving him a widower and lone father to their daughter Eva: “Weisser. - On 5th December, suddenly, at her home, Station Street Korumburra, Lizzie beloved wife of Solomon Weisser and loving mother of Eva. – Safe in the arms of Jesus” The Argus, 6th December 1937

However, what amazes me is how long Solomon Weisser lived! He died at 92 years of age in 1958, having lived through two world wars, and bore witness to enormous change. Over the course of Weisser’s lifetime (1866 to 1958), Omega was born and continued to thrived. The 1894 production of the famous Omega calibre movement, “remarkable for its perfect construction, the ingeniousness of certain mechanisms like time setting via the crown, and for its relatively modest price” was just the beginning.

W. H. Blades, Mount Barker

While there isn’t much left of this 1900s Swiss-made porcelain dial pocket watch, as always, there’s a story to tell. Walter Herbert Blades (W. H. Blades) was born in Adelaide on October 20th, 1876. He was one of seven children of Frederick James Blades and Mary Blades, and husband to Phemie Marjorie Blades. However, unlike our other porcelain dial pocket watches reviewed over the past few weeks, it seems unlikely that W. H. Blades was a watchmaker himself. In fact, it seems unlikely that he was a watch retailer at all. Born in Adelaide, W H Blades lived in Mount Barker, a small town in South Australia. Mount Barker is also a mountain in the Mount Lofty Ranges, and the city lies at the base of the eponymous peak. It has an elevation of 517 metres and the first ascent of Mt. Barker was completed in 1837 by European settlers. The area was traditionally home to farmers, with many lots located just outside of the town actually being farming lots. W H Blades owned three allotments in Mount Barker: The following information gives details of the early ownership of the individual allotments created for the township of Mount Barker in South Australia. Application 22841 - corner of Gawler and Walker Sts 14/7/1906 - 5 year lease to Walter Herbert Blades Application 4598 - frontage to Gawler St, in the middle somewhere 10/6/1911 - McKenzie to Walter Herbert Blades chemist Mt Barker 15/7/1914 - WH Blades to Mary Blades widow Mt Barker Application 5157 - strip facing Gawler St 24’ long and 50’ in from Stephens St 10/6/1911 - McKenzie to Walter Herbert Blades chemist Mt Barker 15/7/1914 - WH Blades to Mary Blades widow Mt Barker 1/6/1916 - 5 year lease to William Robert Murray and James Reordan 7/6/1919 - Blades to Patrick Fox gent Glenelg Although it may seem trivial, these allotment records hold a missing piece of information: Walter Herbert Blades is referred to as a ‘Chemist’. Whereas the previous porcelain dials we have seen have all belonged to professional jewellers and clock makers alike, I was not able to find any historical information suggesting the W H Blades was in the watch trade. So, the question stands: Was W H Blades a chemist? In May 1912, an article declared W H Blades a duly elected member of the boards of advice for Mount Barker: "The following persons have been declared duly elected members of the boards of advice for the districts specified, from June 1, 1912. Note: In every district where only one person is elected, the term of office is for three years; but in each, district marked * there are two or more persons elected, and the term of office must be  decided by lot, at the first meeting of the board held after June 1."

Chemists played a bigger role in the 1900s than they do today, often providing medical advice as well as drugs. Did Blades' election to the Boards of Advice refer to this? Clearly, W. H. Blades was an active member of society. Newspaper clippings show that he was part of the Mount Barker football club committee and on a brief departure from Mount Barker in 1904, the community held a social: “A most enjoyable social took place at Jackson’s Hotel, Mount Barker, on Thursday evening of last week, when a number of friends met for the purposed if bidding goodbye to Mr. W. H. Blades who after a year's residence at Mount Barker is leaving this month for the city. Mr. R. P. A. von Berlonch presided, and, with the vice-chairman (Mr M. J. Skipper) and Messrs H. B Chapman, Jackson, E. G. A. Tyrie, C. L. K. Scott, H. N. Bell, T. R. Bird, and G. R. Paltridge, referred in eulogistic terms to the sterling qualities of Mr. Blades, to the work he had done as secretary of the Mount Barker Dance Committee, to the interest he had taken in the minstrel troupe, in cricket and other manly sports, and in promoting the local walking match, and general regret was expressed at his departure." Friday 4th March 1904. The Mount Barker Courier

The sterling qualities of Walter Herbert Blades were perhaps qualities which made him worthy of a personalised porcelain dial pocket watch. As we know he was not the jeweller, it was not uncommon for these watches to be given to important members of a community. Until further discovery that would lead me to conclude otherwise, I believe that the watch dial was simply a personalised, one-off piece.

J.E. Robinson, 93 Oxford St, Sydney

Here we are again with another porcelain dial pocket watch that reads: "J. E. Robinson, 93 Oxford St, Sydney". This American Waltham pocket watch was imported and retailed by J.E. Robinson around 1900 to 1905. His store was situated on one of the busiest streets in Sydney, 93 Oxford. You would think that finding some information on watchmaker Robinson would be pretty easy given that he ran a business in the heart of Sydney. But unfortunately, that's not the case. The history of Sydney predates modern times, and Indigenous Australians have inhabited the area for over 30,000 years. Sydney was founded in 1788 with the arrival of the first fleet of British ships that laid the foundation of a penal colony by Great Britain. My research on J.E. Robinson turned up two names to begin with: John Eyre Robinson and John Ernest Robinson. I thought: Surely, they must be related? And surely they were. John Eyre Robinson (father) was married to Katherine Lillian Gladwin, who gave birth to John Ernest Robinson (son) on December 1, 1888. John Ernest Robinson (son) was born in in Bundaberg, Queensland. He enlisted as a Gunner for the army in January 1916, age 27. On his return to Australia, he received a Distinguished Conduct Medal: “'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in charge of a party of 30 men and 60 animals bringing up ammunition to the battery position through deep mud and numerous shell holes, and under incessant bombardment for a distance of 800 yards.” Commonwealth Gazette No. 110 25th July 1918

Image from National Archives of Australia

The son's listed next of kin on his war record was John Eyre Robinson, 93 Oxford Street, Sydney – a direct match with the details of our pocket watch. While at first, I faced the question: Who was J. E. Robinson, maker of the pocket watch - father or son? Clearly, he was the father. Also, as the pocket watch was made in the early 1900s, this would make John Ernest far too young to be the maker. As John Ernest was born in Queensland, I assumed that the Robinson family had relocated from Queensland to Sydney at some point in time. And sure enough, a quick Google search would confirm that Mr J. E. Robinson of Bundaberg, Queensland was ‘a leading watchmaker and jeweller’: “Our leading watchmaker and jeweller, Mr. J. E. Robinson is now showing the very latest designs in gold brooches, mass chains, pendants, links and bangles, large selection of engagement rings, wedding rings &c. The stock of articles suitable for wedding presents is both large and varied. As a manufacturing watchmaker, J. E. R. can be relied on for the best class of English Lever Watches. The well known ‘Burnett’ Watch is a splendid timekeeper and wonderful value for 20. Alarm clocks 5/6, 8-Day clocks from 15/6. Best quality, largest stock, lowest prices. J. E. Robinson, Watchmaker and Jeweller. Note – This establishment is next John Hunter’s Boot Palace” The Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser, 16th August 1899

Although you would think that finding a pocket watch from a major city such as Sydney would bring up a lot of information, it's been quite the opposite. But even small details can help us understand the bigger picture. I wonder how the move from Bundaberg to Sydney impacted J.E Robinson's business. Was the move to Sydney for better of for worse? It is not known why Robinson relocated since he was already known as a 'leading watchmaker and jeweller' in Queensland. But what we do know is that he was a direct competitor of J. Macleod & Son who supplied Moeris pocket watches to Queensland Rail. Since Robinson moved to Sydney, I struggled to find much about him. Maybe business didn't take off. Who knows? It's only a small number of jewellers and watchmakers who survive and prosper. But once again, the porcelain dial has stood the test of time long after Robinson's Oxford Street store closed. It goes without saying, if you can provide any additional information on J. E. Robinson, I would be more than grateful and will add it to our archives.

What does P stand for?

As I continue digging through countless archives to discover the dusty stories of old pocket watches, I can’t believe some of the tales I find! Our fourth Australian pocket watch is no exception.

The pocket watch dates to the very early 1900s, potentially 1905, Swiss made. And you guessed it – the white porcelain dial is marked with a personalised inscription - P. McKenna  Gympie, Q. I thought that this might be a tough one to crack, with only two pieces of information to go off. Gympie is a town located in Queensland, Australia, about 160km north of Brisbane. Gympie is a famous area for gold, which was discovered by a European Settler named James Nash, in 1867. P. Mckenna was likely to be of Scottish or Irish descent, as the name McKenna is the anglicised form of the Gaelic Irish surname "Mac Cionaoith" or of the Scottish surname, "MacCionaodha". He was the owner of a jewellery shop, ‘P. McKenna and Sons Ltd’, located on Mary Street, Gympie. And his Jewellery shop was the best in town: “The best house in Gympie for every class of repairs to jewellery is that of Mr McKenna, which is in Mary-street. Mr McKenna is a practical watchmaker and a first-class manufacturing jeweller. If you suffer from headaches or your eyesight is bad, see Mr McKenna, who is an experienced optician. Mr McKenna’s shop is well worth a visit. He has a very fine stock of ornaments and gems and makes a speciality of wedding gifts.” The Catholic Press, Thursday 5th August 1909

With information on a singular P. McKenna drying up, I broadened my search to the wider McKenna family of Gympie. And here’s where it gets gritty! P. McKenna was the father of four sons - Edward, Albert, Henry and George – whom he left his business to when he died (assumed early 1900s). However, family and business didn’t mix well. A brotherly bond between Edward and Albert soon turned into brotherly bitterness. And on January 3rd, Edward shot his brother:  “Yesterday afternoon Edward Joseph McKenna was arrested by Senior sergeant Frisch and charged with having unlawfully attempted to kill his brother, Albert Joseph McKenna, who was seriously wounded during a shooting affray on the business premises of P. McKenna and Sons, Ltd., Jewellers, on January 3 last.” The Week, Friday 16th March 1928

Can you believe it? Although the bullet wasn’t instantly fatal, it killed Albert three years later, making for a whole page news spread in the Brisbane Truth.

“There was a wound in his back under the left shoulder blade, six inches from the spine, which had paralysed him from the waist downwards. For many hours, Albert hovered on the borderline of life and death. Doctors did not think he could live. Yet he did. But he lived a living death. Paralysed, the bullet in his back in such a position that it could not be removed, Albert knew long weary days of hell . . . while Edward, silent morose, waited for the day when he would face a judge and jury on a charge of attempted fratricide. [...] Death, the doctors decided, was due to the pneumonia, aggravated by the paralysis which the bullet had caused.” Truth, Sunday 25 January 1931 Anyway, back to the pocket watch. It is nickel case, with a movement made by “Ilix”. Although I’ve tried to find some information on Ilix watch movements, the internet has no answers aside from eBay listings of similar retailed pocket watches. I was hoping you might help me with some information. But the bit that puzzles me most: What was Mr. McKenna's first name? UPDATE: P stands for Patrick.

"A Gladstone Bag Containing a Jemmy"

The adventure of Australian retailed pocket watches continues with another Swiss-made pocket watch from the early 1900s. Again, the white porcelain dial came with a label to guide me in the right direction. This unique timepiece reads: W. H. Pritchard, The Bridge Jeweller, Newtown. After doing some digging, it turns out that this pocket watch is one we're glad to have stumbled upon, so here's what I have so far: Newtown was established in 1812, and proclaimed a Municipality in 1862. It is a suburb of Sydney's inner west, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The central hub of Newtown is King Street, which happens to be where W. H. Pritchard’s jewellery shop was located. According to the Newton Project, “One of the smallest shops in Newtown at 318 1/2 King St. belonged to W. H. Pritchard, watchmaker and jeweller, who was Mayor in 1922. He was the ‘Jeweller with a reputation for Honest Values.’ His Carnival price in 1922 for a solid 9 ct. gold expanding watch wristlet was £4.” As it turns out, Mr Pritchard was the Mayor during the Diamond Jubilee of Newtown. He was also a member of the Nationalists party and was “recommended for endorsement as the National candidate at the Federal elections.” The West Australian, Saturday 4th November 1922.

Pritchard’s Jeweller’s was broken into on 3rd May 1913, and thieves stole goods to the value of £89 7s 3d, including 23 gold rings, a pair of cuff-links, four watches, and 11 bangles. “Three men were yesterday charged before the Newtown Police Court with breaking and entering the premises of Mr. W. H. Pritchard, jeweller, King-street, Newtown, between May 3 and 4, and stealing goods valued at £89 7s 3d. The men were George Dickson, alias M'llwain, 19; Arthur Kirby, alias James, 19; and Percy James, 23." "Senior Sergeant O’Dea stated that in company with Sergeant Allen and Constable M’Knight, he arrested Dickson on Cleveland Street, and on searching him officers found 21 gold rings, a pair of sleeve-links, a lady's watch, and three bangles. When charged, accused said he picked the jewellery up in a lane off Cleveland Street. Kirby and James were arrested later. When the house In Cleveland Street In which Dickson and Kirby resided was searched the police found a Gladstone bag containing a jemmy. On searching James's room eight gold bangles, three watches, and two rings were found. Kirby told the police that his brother knew nothing about the robbery. The police said the jemmy found fitted the marks on the door of Pritchard's shop. The three accused reserved their defence, and were committed for trial." Tuesday 27th May 1913, The Sydney Morning Herald

We are on a quest to find even more watch stories that begin with a porcelain dial. Although engraving metal would probably outlast anything, porcelain labels are another permanent way of preserving information. This porcelain dial has been washed and cleaned, and I could see that the name would not be washed away. Porcelain is a medium to achieve immortality in this case. And here we find ourselves again, discovering the life of a man by his heirlooms left behind. Watches are rarely about the brand name, they are all about the story behind them.

The King of Narrabri

This pocket watch which landed on my desk yesterday morning. The pocket watch dates from around 1930s and has white porcelain dial with the label: “Commander” H.G. King Narrabri. Of course, it is a Swiss-made watch, but back in 1930s, the Swiss were more than happy to make custom porcelain dials with retailers' labels. Naturally, I thought this would be a good place to start. Here’s what I’ve go so far: Narrabri is a town in New South Wales, located on the Namoi River over 500km northwest of Sydney. Its proclamation as a town in 1860 led to the development of several buildings, such as the District Hospital which opened in 1864. As it turns out, H.G King was one of Narrabri’s most prominent public figures. Born in 1888, he lived through two wars reaching the end of his life in 1950, aged 62. Throughout his life, King was closely associated with the District Hospital, acting as chairman of the board for a number of years. He was president of the Narrabri Rotary Club, a qualified optician, but even more relevant, a jeweller and watchmaker by trade. King’s Jewellery store in Narrabri carried “a great variety of exclusive articles most suitable for presents for all occasions” according to The North Western Courier, April 1939. They said of King: “One has only to look through the stock to learn that great care and discrimination have been given to its selection and to realise that the proprietor takes a great pride in giving clients quality and value for money. Mr. King has become famous throughout Narrabri and district for his large assortment of jewellery and watches of various designs.”

In 1926, King joined the Narrabri War Memorial Committee to establish a monument in memory of soldiers killed in the Great War. His clock design tender for the Memorial was accepted in 1930 and unveiled later that year. The plaque which currently exists on the memorial says “HG King of Narrabri supplied this electrically operated clock which was at that time a new technology” - it still stands today. But back to the pocket watch. The remaining question is why “Commander”? Was H. G. King referring to himself? Was he a commander in the Great War? Or was he referring to the watch? Was Commander the name of the watch and if so, how many were sold? The most likely answer is that "Commander" refers to his rank as a soldier, but these are questions I feel I can’t answer without your help. As for the watch, it is undergoing restoration as we speak. I’ll keep you informed of the outcome. I love preserving watch dials with watchmakers' names on them, for two reasons. Firstly, its so bloody cool! Secondly, I think of myself as an amateur historian, and maybe a slightly delusional one at that. What fascinates me is that someone's entire life can be found on a watch dial. Would we have ever known about the life of H. G. King if we didn't happen to find his watch? In a world of billions of people, its unlikely that all of us will be remembered. But perhaps if we leave something behind, the chances are in our favour.

Colombian Railway Watch... (well whats left of it)

And while we are still on the subject of railway horology (which is like, everyday) here is another amazing find. A porcelain pocket watch dial signed Ferrocarril de Antioquia. Unfortunately this is the only thing that is left of this 1930’s railroad pocket watch. Nevertheless it is the first piece of South American railway horology I have found which now completes all the continents.

I am not going to spoil your enjoyment by re-telling the story of the Colombian railway that took 40 years to complete and was 50km in length. Of course this is still faster and cheaper than the Sydney light rail project. But here is one detail worth sharing: The main opposition to the railway in Antioquia was based on the superstition of the local population and the fear that a roaring locomotive will bring an unfathomable curse upon them. So when locomotive no. 1 derailed and disappeared into the abyss, the replacement locomotive, no. 2, had to be repainted and renumbered to look exactly like no. 1 to prevent mass hysteria.

Ferrocarril went out of business in the 1960’s. To find a complete original Colombian railway watch is now on top of my priority list!