Does anyone collect vintage watches/pocket watches made local to them

Canuck

My copy of Brittens watch and clock makers (British makers, with a few European makers) lists over 28,000 watch and clock “makers”. By far the majority of these “makers” simply sold timepieces made by one of the few actual makers of watches. Your watch looks to me like a typical ebauche manufactured in Lancashire, and engraved with the retailer’s name. There is no listing in Brittens, Loomis, or Baillie, for a Hargreaves of Wigan. Perhaps one of our enthusiasts from Britain might shed some light on Hargreaves.

Being Canadian, the only watches made in Canada are Westclox Dax watches. Those of are no interest to me. However, I have numerous U S A made “private label” watches with the names of Canadian retailers on the dials. And one private label pocket watch labelled for a retailer in Liverpool.

There was a college in Toronto, Ontario (the Canadian Horological Institute) which operated from circa 1890, until about 1910. The only Canadian made watches (actually manufactured in Canada, made by college students) I am aware of, originated from that college. A friend of mine in Ottawa has two of these college watches.

In short, I have about half a dozen private label watches with Canadian retailer’s names on them. Unfortunately none of these were Canadian made. I quite like them.

Canuck

Hargreaves isn't listed in Britten, Loomes, or Baillie!