Code BA15090401: W.F. Holmes Birmingham Engraved Compass, 1918
| This is a rare WW1 officers pocket watch style antique compass, engraved W.F. Holmes, Birmingham, VI 44516, 1918, and military arrow. Inside stamped 158916 M. The case is Nickel and in excellent condition, no dings. Beveled glass crystal covers the attractive Dennison dry card dial both in excellent condition without damage. In full working order and points North easily. When the release button is pressed the lid springs open as it should. It has also a transit lock that comes into play when the lid is closed and the compass is not in use. This mechanism prevent undue wear to the pivot, which may alter the precision of the compass. It measures 4.7cm in diameter. |
SOLD
The case maker was Aaron Lufkin Dennison of Birmingham UK, he manufactured watch cases from late 1874 at 24 Villa Road, Handsworth UK. As part of the war effort he diversified into compass cases. He was originally the Managing Director of the American Waltham Watch Company in the USA, where he made the very first watch with interchangeable parts and produced watches of Railway quality. He was known as the Founding Father of the American Watch Making Industry.
