PREVIEW: WATCHES AUCTION 14 JUNE

Among the luxury brands and bejewelled pocket and wristwatches on offer at Noonans’ 14 June auction bidders will find an example of an historic timepiece used in exploration.

Among the luxury brands and bejewelled pocket and wristwatches on offer at Noonans’ 14 June auction bidders will find an example of an historic timepiece used in exploration.

The Lund & Blockley silver open-faced explorer’s keyless deck watch is of robust construction with protective fittings, including winding crown with screw-down cover with short safety chain, to safeguard it against the elements and help keep it accurate. As such it made for an ideal Travellers’ Watch in the late 19th century, especially as timekeeping for those exploring remote areas in a challenging climate was of vital importance.

In fact, the Royal Geographical Society purchased approximately 28 pieces from Lund & Blockley and their successor for loaning to explorers on Polar and African expeditions. Each is numbered to the case, whereas this example features a personal monogram, although to whom it originally belonged is not known.

The movement is numbered 2/1008 and dated 1883, with a hallmark to the case for London 1883. The maker’s mark, PW is for Philip Woodman.
These so-called Travellers Watches were sold by Herbert Blockley from the late 1870s until around 1925.

David Boettcher of Vintage Watchstraps has conducted in-depth research on the subject, ably supported by Peter Burt of the Royal Geographical Society, and provides much additional detail.

This fascinating piece of history, measuring 58mm across, comes with an estimate of £2,000-£3,000.