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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Liverpool, Not recorded

Litherland Davies & Co.

Partially verified

Chronometers and watches with rack lever escapements

History

The company was established in 1790 by Peter Litherland in Liverpool, initially operating under his own name.

Following the death of Peter Litherland in 1804, the business underwent several name changes, including Litherland & Co. and later Litherland, Whiteside & Company. In 1816, the company became known as Litherland, Davies & Co. after taking over the firm of Litherland, Whiteside and Co. The firm occupied various premises in Liverpool over the decades, including Brownlow Hill, Church Street, and Bold Street.

During the 19th century, the company engaged in the importation of watches from Paris, and William Litherland managed a business location in Paris around 1870.

The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Current watchmaking & later fate

  • The firm ceased all operations in 1877.

As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-11-03. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.

Key models

Chronometer 136
This chronometer, identified by case number 136-10720, was produced around 1857.

Major innovations

  • The firm is recognized for its association with the rack lever escapement developed by Peter Litherland.

Serial numbers

No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

In the object catalogue

3 catalogued objects are recorded under Litherland Davies & Co.. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

Diagram

count wheel or rackdetenthammer and gongwarning piece
Schematic: striking and sounding work. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Litherland, Davies & Co., Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.