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The Encyclopedia of Horology

London and Sheffield, United Kingdom

Mappin & Webb

Partially verified

Manufacturing and retail of silverware, jewellery, and luxury goods

History

The business originated from a silver workshop established in Sheffield by Jonathan Mappin in 1774, which eventually grew into Mappin Brothers.

Following the death of George Webb, John Newton Mappin became the sole partner before the firm was converted into a limited liability company in 1898. Throughout the 20th century, the company expanded internationally with branches in cities like Paris, Buenos Aires, and Johannesburg, and it also absorbed Mappin Brothers in 1903. The company historically held numerous Royal Warrants and provided goods for high society and royalty, including Queen Victoria.

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

  • As of 2019, the business is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
  • The company currently operates retail stores throughout the United Kingdom.

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

Campaign watch
The Campaign watch was introduced by the firm in 1898 to withstand difficult desert conditions.

Major innovations

  • The company introduced the Campaign watch in 1898, which was designed for desert conditions and later used during the Boer War.

Known markings

  • The firm marked their items with 'Mappin & Webb Ltd, London'.

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

2 catalogued objects are recorded under Mappin & Webb. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • Front view of the mahogany arch-top bracket clock showing the engraved dial and subsidiary registers
  • Hunter-cased pocket watch by Mappin & Webb with an engraved monogram on the front cover, dated 1913.

Sources & references

  1. Collections Online | British Museum, British Museum, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. Mappin & Webb | Science Museum Group Collection, Science Museum Group, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  3. Mappin & Webb, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  4. Pocket Watch - Mappin & Webb, London, circa 1909, collections.museumsvictoria.com.au, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  5. Mappin & Webb Ltd Silver | William Walter, williamwalter.co.uk, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

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