Lancashire Watch Company

History

Formed to reorganise the Prescot parts trade into an American-style factory, the company produced complete English movements by machine but failed commercially against cheaper Swiss and American imports.

Major innovations

• Attempt at integrated factory production of English watches

Known markings

• 'Lancashire Watch Co. Prescot'
• Grade markings on the plates

Serial numbers

Surviving records are incomplete; dating usually depends on case hallmarks combined with grade identification.

Collecting significance

Historically significant as the last serious English factory attempt; survival numbers are modest and literature is limited.

Sources & references

1. Cutmore, M., Watches 1850–1980
2. NAWCC Bulletin articles on the Prescot trade

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