subject: Thomas Russell – The Icon in the English Watchmaking Industry [print this page] Thomas Russell The Icon in the English Watchmaking Industry
As a big name in the English watchmaking industry, Thomas Russell is considered as an idol for avid watch fans all over the globe. He is synonymous with the Lancashire watchmaking industry. But how he grew to be a watch manufacturer and why Lancashire played such a vital role in the realm of fine watchmaking is really interesting and appealing.
In the 17 th century, farmers and agricultural workers in the neighborhood of Lancashire undertook lots of work of watchmaking such as metalworking to earn extra money. The accessibility of excellent metal tools as well as the port of Liverpool contribute to the development of the industry, and by the 18 th century watch parts were sub-contracted to small farms in the region.
Another factor that contributes to the development of the cottage industry is that doing part-time job can add up to lower overheads and greater savings. The Lancashire sub-contracting system allowed the manufacturing of watch movements at such competitive prices that by the end of the 18th century between 150,000 and 200,000 watches per year were manufactured, catering to the large demands for faithful timekeeping as the industrial revolution took hold.
Thomas Russell joined the tide of the vase movement in 1848 when he moved his business as a watchmaker to Slater Street in Liverpool. It was here that Thomas Russell demonstrated his talent in watchmaking to perfection. A glittering array of top quality watches and clocks including the reputable Russell Hunter pocket watch were debuted by him, and he was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria for his rapid contribution in fine watchmaking.
About 1859, Thomas Russel's sons Thomas Robert and Alfred Holgate inherited the company and changed its name to Thomas Russell & Son. By 1877 the company had moved the business once more to Cathedral Works, 12 Church Street, Liverpool, with additional offices at Piccadilly in London and Toronto, Canada.
