Most sources quote the corporate manufactured jewelry from the sixties to the seventies. However that is unfaithful. Exquisite jewelry was produced by the corporate referred to as W A P Watson Ltd. right here is the businesses time line:
1909 to 1914 – Walter Archibald Parker Watson had a small manufacturing unit in Hockley Hill, Birmingham manufacturing chains after which gilt jewelry.
1914 W A P Watson bought his firm to Augustus Harry Power and Clarence Oswald Flint. They stored the identify and subsequently turned W A P Watson LTD
1914 to 1934 Following the First World War, Messrs Power and Flint turned expert in producing costume jewelry. The unique variety of staff was 6 and it was throughout this time the vary of jewelry was named Exquisite.
1934 The firm with its 125 staff moved to Hampton Street within the Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. They additionally had premises in Mary Street. Now not solely producing jewelry but in addition crested souvenirs.
1937 to 1954 W A P Watson ceased manufacturing jewelry in the course of the Second World War however focused on serving to the battle effort. Following the battle, Exquisite jewelry and the souvenirs manufacturing continued. But with elevated demand and the confined area obtainable within the Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, the Powers regarded for bigger premises. Augustus son’s Wallis and Jack had now develop into the managing administrators
1954 to 1977 The firm moved in 1954 to Vulcan Road Solihull. Expanded and launched the Mirella commerce identify of gold plated image frames, mirrors, pens and small capsule packing containers. The identify Mirella got here from one among their staff. Crystal was launched into their product manufacturing. At their peak the corporate produced 20,000 items of jewelry underneath the Exquisite identify. Famous for his or her Birthday and Scottish vary – fantastically hand enameled brooches, necklaces and earrings.
1977 The Exquisite Jewellery vary was stopped because of the competitors of the excessive import of cheaper jewelry from the East. However the crested memento vary was increasing as extra folks have been in a position to take holidays within the UK and overseas. Spoons, bells, letter openers, thimbles have been obtainable in all of the vacationer present retailers throughout the UK
1977 to 1989 The firm needed to cut back staff as they struggled to outlive the recession and competitors. They produced new ranges of Collector’ Keepsakes – thimbles, letter openers and bells. Also leather-based items underneath the identify of Manor Leather craft.
1989 to 2000 The Crystal Flame vary of silver and gilt animals with a crystal turned in style and ultimately developed into the Tudor Mint vary. The in style Myths and Magic vary of medieval figures and characters took off and nonetheless could be very collectible immediately
2000 onward The Solihull manufacturing unit closed within the early 2000’s as the corporate moved to the USA to increase the Tudor Mint vary. In 2007 the corporate bought this to the Xystos group however nonetheless retains a holding firm of The Watson Group Limited in Shirley Solihull.
W A P Watson left a considerable amount of collectible and exquisite jewelry. Many ranges can be found and matching items.
Source by Susan C Weaver
