Grace's Guide
British Industrial History
Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 132,615 pages of information and 209,984 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.
Lancashire Watch Co
From Graces Guide
of Lancashire Watch Works at Prescot.
c.1650 The industry of watch-making was first introduced into England during the Commonwealth and soon afterwards the trade seems to have been established in Prescot.
1888 The company was registered on 5 December as a practical amalgamation of almost all the watch movement makers in Prescot, and three firms outside the town; Mr. T. P. Hewitt was managing director.
1890 first phase of a new factory in Prescot was opened[1]
1894 Description of visit to the works. Produced 500 watches per day.
1897 Re-construction took place and the present company was registered 13 March. [2]
1899 Great dissatisfaction from the shareholders that the company's accounts had not been providing an accurate view of the company's position; the directors hoped to get back into profit but could give no guarantee[3]