Silver Royal Artillery Issue Pocket Watch, c.1895

A fine and rare watch made by Adam Burdess in Coventry and issued to the Royal Artillery. These pocket watches are among the earliest British Army timepieces to be issued to soldiers, with this example being silver hallmarked for 1895.

At first, the Army's procurement of key-wound fusee pocket watches might seem questionable, after all, "keyless" watches were in plentiful supply from Swiss and American companies that had invested in a programme of industrial modernisation; however, it was not the same in Britain. Here, good watches were not mass-produced and if you needed a quality robust timepiece then it would be largely handbuilt to a proven (some would say "antiquated") design. In this instance, the watch was made in Coventry, one of England's important industrial centres.

Adam Burdess himself was an innovative watchmaker who developed his own "Pump" winding system for his watches that did not use a key, nor a crown. Burdess supplied these watches at a time when the face of modern warfare was rapidly changing. Technology in the form of improved transport, weapons and communication brought about advances and in turn new military tactics needed to be devised. Rather than leave strategies to develop at their own pace, use of synchronisation and timing became a necessity for the armed forces.

Just a few years later the Royal Artillery would see action in the Boer War where telegraphy was to be used for the first time in battle. To promote better communication watches were needed by the telegraphers (see item #50967). On this occasion however, the War Department with just short notice obtained Swiss keyless watches, albeit supplied via the British jewellery trade. One can only believe that the RA brought along their prized watches too, as they would have been privy to the communications directing their synchronised fire. Their watches would originally have the Regiment a substantial sum.

This Adam Burdess watch is in superb condition and excellent running order, keeping time as it also benefits from a recent service by the previous owner. The double-bottomed silver case shows only the slightest sign of service wear and features a beautifully hand-engraved broad arrow as well as Regimental markings - Worthy of research. Inside the bright gilt movement is also beautifully hand engraved in the English tradition, with floral and scroll swirls. The porcelain dial is likewise excellent but as is typical of a watch that has hands set from the front, there are slight marks on the porcelain dial. Nevertheless, the watch remains a useable example for the collector and historian.

Outstanding.

Code: 51146