Stewart Dawson & Co. (Scotland, Australia) pocketwatch

Stewart Dawson & Co. was a silversmith and retail business that was founded in 1871 by David Stewart Dawson in Liverpool, England. The company quickly became successful, and by the late 1800s, it had branches in London, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, and Dunedin.

Stewart Dawson was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1849. He apprenticed as a silversmith in Dufftown, and then moved to Liverpool in 1871 to set up his own business. Dawson was a talented silversmith, and his work was soon in demand by both the wealthy and the middle class. The company's products were known for their high more... quality and their stylish design.

In 1886, Dawson moved to Australia and opened a branch of his business in Sydney. The Australian branch was an immediate success, and it quickly became one of the leading silversmiths in the country. Dawson also opened branches in Melbourne and Auckland, and by the early 1900s, Stewart Dawson & Co. was one of the most successful silversmiths in the British Empire.

The company continued to grow and expand in the early 20th century. In 1907, it was incorporated as a limited liability company. In 1910, the company opened a branch in Dunedin, New Zealand. And in 1920, the company opened a branch in London's Regent Street.

The firm was converted into a limited liability company in 1907 under the name of Stewart Dawson & Co Ltd. The business was sold in 1931 to R.H.O. Hills of Blackpool and continued its activity until around 1935.

Stewart Dawson also invested and traded in inner city properties in Sydney and Melbourne, from which he became very wealthy, so much so that by the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s he had converted his properties to cash, and was holding in excess of 1 million pounds. At the time of his death in 1932 at the of 82 he had homes in Potts Point and Palm Beach in Sydney, Springwood in the Blue Mountains, Monte Carlo and Hatton Garden, London.

Stewart Dawson & Co. continued to be successful throughout the 20th century. However, in the 1970s, the company began to face increasing competition from foreign manufacturers and was by acquired by the James Pacoe Group. All the stores in Australia have been closed, but there remain 15 Stewart Dawsons stores throughout New Zealand. less...

Pocket watches were the primary timekeeping device for centuries, with origins dating back to the 16th century. In the early days, pocket watches were large and cumbersome, and only the wealthy elite could afford them. However, over time, advances in technology made them smaller and more accessible to the masses.

The earliest pocket watches were made with a simple mechanism consisting of a mainspring, an escapement, and a balance wheel. The mainspring provided power to the watch, while the escapement regulated the movement of the watch hands, and the balance wheel ensured accuracy. These watches were usually worn around the more... neck or carried in a pocket, and they were often adorned with elaborate designs and engravings.

In the 18th century, the pocket watch became more popular, and many watchmakers began to experiment with new designs and mechanisms. One of the most significant developments was the introduction of the lever escapement, which greatly improved the accuracy of the watch. Another important innovation was the use of jewels to reduce friction in the movement, leading to increased durability and reliability.

In the 19th century, pocket watches became smaller and more affordable, and they became an essential accessory for the middle class. During this time, watchmakers also began to experiment with new materials, such as gold and silver, and they created watches with intricate designs and patterns. Many of these watches were also equipped with additional features, such as a calendar, a stopwatch, or a second hand.

The 20th century brought about even more significant changes to the pocket watch. The introduction of quartz technology in the 1970s led to the development of the quartz pocket watch, which used an electronic oscillator instead of a mechanical mechanism. This innovation greatly improved accuracy, and it made pocket watches even more accessible to the masses.

Nowadays pocket watches are mostly used as a fashion accessory or a collector's item. They are often made with intricate designs and high-quality materials, and they are prized for their elegance and beauty. However, with the rise of smartphones and digital watches, the practicality of the pocket watch has diminished. Despite this, the pocket watch remains an iconic symbol of a bygone era, and it continues to be cherished by collectors and enthusiasts around the world. less...