cool silver pocket watch that could date back to early 1800s

[diggervance]

Hello Guys
it has been awhile since my last post between roofing two houses and work hasn't left much time for detecting.
I got a few hours Sunday to hunt and pulled this cool pocket watch, Its about the size of a half dollar. The little research I have done on it and what I can tell from the makers name is Litherland and this could date back to about 1804 or before. Paul Litherland was a watch maker that lived from 1755 to 1804. I have pictures sent to a watch expert and will keep you posted on what I find out. My silver test kit tested .999 silver the name inscribed on the cover is Fairy I guess that was a common name in the 1800s.

 

[DIGGER-SEAN-N-VA]

Very cool

 

[diggervance]

Here is the reply I have received from our expert at the British Museum.



Thank you for your email. By the style of this watch case I would say it dates it from the late 18th Century. Since it is marked Switzerland, I looked up 'Fairy' in a book of Swiss makers:



'Swiss Timepiece Makers, 1775-1975' by Kathleen H. Pritchard, Phoenix publishing, 1997.



Here I found that 'Fairy' was a trade mark of the watchmaking company Gallet & Cie registered in 1890 (on a shield) and in 1891, which matches nicely with the likely date of the case. (There is more information about the company in this book should you wish to look into it).



A brief online search led me to this ebay listing of a very similar watch,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181507956375

almost certainly by the same maker. This would give you an idea of what yours might have looked like.



I cannot see the word 'Litherland' on the photographs you sent, but generally if a name was engraved on the outside of the case it is the name of the owner.



I hope this is of some help.

 

[MINELABBOB]

you better send it to the jewelers 4 repair!!!


minelabbob

 

[ironsight]

Thats a cool find you got there.