Thomas Russell Half Hunter Watch, Chain and Fob

An antique Thomas Russell half hunter pocket watch with chain and fob.

The watch has a Swiss 10-jewel stem-winding movement which is working nicely. The movement is signed Thos Russell & Son Liverpool and is protected by an inner hinged cover.

The company name of Thomas Russell & Son was established in 1859 when Thomas Russell (who was listed as a watchmaker as early as 1848) handed over the control of the business to Thomas Robert Russell and Alfred Holgate Russell. The company was very well respected and successful and they earned a Royal Warrant, ‘Makers to Queen Victoria’… they continued to benefit from this Warrant even after it ceased upon Victoria’s death in 1901 although its continued use was only tolerated for a short while. 

After the partnership split, Thomas Russell continued as the proprietor of the Russell Watch & Chronometer Manufactury and Alfred Russell continued as Thomas Russell & Son. Thomas Russell & Son achieved a Royal Warrant as makers to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. In 1881 they started importing watches from Switzerland.

This particular watch measures 49mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The case is gold plated and was made by the Illinois Watch Case Company who made many cases for Thomas Russell watches. The case is in lovely condition and the front has a small lens surrounded by dark blue enamel filled Roman numerals.

The winding crown pushes in to open the front cover. Inside there is a glass lens which is in good condition.

The dial is signed with the Thos Russell, Liverpool along with the Tempus Fugit (time flies) logo. Blued steel hands including the special hour hand for half hunter watches. This design was used so that the wearer could distinguish which was the hour hand and which was the minute hand. The dial is in lovely condition.

Also included is a single chain, 33cm long including the T-bar and the clasp, and a fob.

The watch and chain will be sent in a new presentation box.

Please see description

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All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.

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