Rare, Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway issue pocket watch dating from around 1900. Manufactured in England by H Williamson Ltd, Coventry and supplied by Donne & Son, London.

Solid nickel case with a hinged bezel, back and inner dust cover. Edges of case back and bezel finished with an annulated design. Case back engraved with the initials “B.A.P.” (Buenos Aires and Pacific) and the serial number “339”. Case diameter (not including pendant) : 56mm. Case condition : 80% (a couple of minor knocks).

Original white enamel dial with bold black Roman numerals. Dial signed, "Donne - London" and with the Initials, “B.A.P.” Blued steel hands. Dial condition : 100%.

Good quality, gilt, English made, 19 ligne, 9 jewel movement. Signed, "Donne & Sons – Birchin Lane, Cornhill, London" & “Warranted English”. Movement serial number "2492". Movement also bears the manufacturer’s mark (on back plate under dial), “H.W.Ltd, Errington Watch Factory” (Henry Williamson Ltd of Coventry). Bimetallic compensation balance wheel. Breguet over-coil hairspring. Movement condition (appearance) : 85%. Recently serviced. Time keeping : good.

The Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway (BA&P) was formed in 1882 by the British businessman John E. Clark and became one of the Big Four broad gauge, British-owned companies that built and operated railway networks in Argentina. It was the company’s intention to operate a train service linking Buenos Aires and Valparaíso in Chile, giving access to the Pacific Ocean, hence the name.

In 1898 BAP took over the British-owned company Villa Maria and Rufino Railway and in 1907, the Argentine Great Western Railway also.

In 1948, during Juan Peron's presidency, the entire Argentine railway network was nationalised and the BAP became part of the state-owned company Ferrocarril General San Martín.

H. Williamson Ltd was founded by the Londoner, Henry Williamson in 1892 and started life as a wholesalers of jet jewellery. In 1895 they took over the Errington Watch Co of Coventry, which at one point operated the largest watch factory in the country, employing 500. In 1899 Williamson also purchased two Swiss watch making businesses; Suter & Co (Buren) and the watch factory of Albert Mondandon at Chaux de Fonds.

The business thrived with large government contracts and during W.W.I. the company produced both wrist and pocket watches for the British War Department.

For more information on Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway please click on the link below:

Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway

Inventory No. O-162

------------------------------------------------------------