Watchmaking
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Coventry has over the past few centuries been home to several industries of national significance. Watchmaking was first recorded in the city in the 1680s, but it was not until the 18th century that Coventry emerged as one of the main centres of the watchmaking industry in England.
By the first half of the 19th century Coventry had even reached a position of national dominance. It was not, however, to last - by the second half of the century cheaper factory methods in the USA and improved quality in Switzerland were rapidly eating away at Coventry's market share.
All was not lost though, the watchmaking industry helped developed a skill base of precision engineering that was to contribute to Coventry's rise as a centre of the motor car half a century later.
Despite watchmaking's important position in the industrial heritage of the city there has been little celebration of its existence. To redress this oversight a group has been established to work for the establishment of a permanent Watch Museum for the city. CWN is grateful to The Coventry Watch Museum Project for providing most of the material for this section.
THE COVENTRY WATCH MUSEUM PROJECT
About the Project, contact details ...
ORIGINS & GROWTH OF COVENTRY WATCHMAKING
From 17th century origins, Samuel Vale ...
THE PEAK PERIOD OF COVENTRY WATCHMAKING
1850-90 boom time to 20th century decline, Rotherhams ...
FACTS & FIGURES
Watch production, Coventry census ...
TOP SHOPS & THE WATCHMAKERS
Chapelfields, Duke Street, Lord Street, Mount Street, ...
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This page was last updated
on 16 April 1998
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