The name Thomas Russell is synonymous with the watch industry in Lancashire and is an icon for watch purists and enthusiasts around the world. But how he became a watchmaker and why Lancashire played such an important role in watchmaking is a fascinating story.
In the 17th century, farmers and agricultural workers, who were to supplement their income during the winter months, took over most of the work of watchmaking. In and around Lancashire, this was especially important, and the proximity of metalworking, the presence of thin metal tools and the port of Liverpool contributed to the growth of industry. By the 18th century, watch units were subcontracting to small farms and cottages throughout the region.
Another growth factor for this artisan industry was the substantial lower overhead that farmers used as part-time workers in their homes. In other places, wages were the largest source of the total cost of producing watches with the cost of raw materials, in addition to gold and silver used in the manufacture of expensive cases, is relatively small.
One commentator notes that “From Prescott to Liverpool, eight miles from the crow, the countryside was littered with spring craftsmen’s cottages, wheeled scissors, chain makers, case manufacturers, dial makers — every specialty that went into the creation watch.” By the end From the 18th century, this system produced between 150,000 and 200,000 hours per year, which responded to the national need for accurate timekeeping, as the industrial revolution strengthened.
Lancashire's subcontracting system allowed it to produce watch movements at such low prices that by the end of the 18th century, Lancashire producers supplied most of the great watch companies in London, Coventry and Liverpool. All these firms had to do was to do it or fix their own case and dial the number and then assemble the watch.
Thomas Russell joined this hive of activity in 1848 when he transferred his business as a watch manufacturer to Slater Street in Liverpool. The city was a major seaport, and the production of clocks and chronometers of ships became an important revenue stream for businesses.
The father of Thomas Russell, also known as Thomas Russell (1780-1830), the founder of this watch dynasty, was born in Eskdale in a small village in Cumberland. He served his time in watchmaking at New St. Broughton-in-Furness Lancashire under the direction of William Bellman, and then serving his time apprentice with William Wakefield at Market St Lancaster, where he later started his own business on the same street.
He had two sons; one of them named Thomas was married to Mary in 1831. They also had two sons: Thomas Robert (1833-1894), born in Lancaster and Alfred Holgate Russell (1840-1893). Around 1840, the family moved to Halifax, creating watchmaking in Lord St. It was here when Alfred was born.
By 1848, the family moved again, and records show that Thomas Russell was a clock maker with premises at 20 or 22 Slater Street, Liverpool, and then at number 32 on the same street. It was here that Thomas Russell became perhaps the best watchmaker in Liverpool, and quality watches and watches, including the famous Russell Hunter pocket watches, appeared in the business. Thomas the Elder and his eldest son Thomas Robert received the Royal Warrant of Queen Victoria, pointing out their rapid progress in the manufacture of watches.
Around 1859, Thomas transferred control of his sons Thomas Robert and Alfred Holgate, and the company changed its name to Thomas Russell and Son. After the death of Thomas Russell in 1867, the business was divided into two parts; the trading side continued under the same name and was ruled by Alfred, and Thomas ruled Russells Limited. The retail business has become an importer of Swiss watches and music boxes.
By 1877, the company transferred the business again, this time to the Cathedral, 12 Church Street, Liverpool, with additional offices in Piccadilly in London and Toronto, Canada. Now it was known as the “Russell Watch” and “Chronometric Manufactory” and was included in 1880 as “manufacturers of watches and chronometers and keyless levers and jewelry merchants”, and “The appointment of Her Majesty the Queen and HRM as Duke of Edinburgh and Admiralty ".
After the death of Queen Victoria, Thomas Russell still signed his watch “The Makers of Queen Victoria”, although the warrant officially ended with the death of Queens. It was tolerable for a while before they removed it from their watches.
After the death of Thomas Robert and Alfred Holgate, the son of Alfred Bernard Holgate Russell and his cousin Tosse Townsend Russell occupied this position, and the name of the business was changed to Russells Limited in 1894. From this date, it seems that they continued to be retail jewelers with several branches in Liverpool, as well as by the early 1900s, Manchester and Llandudno.
Bernard married and had a son, Thomas Graham (1906-1999). In 1915, Bernard and Tosse Townsend Russell invited Joseph Wright to become another director of Tosa Russell and Son. Joseph had extensive trade knowledge, traveled extensively and had business contacts in Switzerland and experience with the famous American state of Illinois Sentinel.
The sons of these directors all seemed to work and manage the business in the years to come. During World War II, Joseph Wright continued to work, despite the lack of materials and people during the war, until the sons returned from the war. Around 1994, both Liverpool Russells Ltd both retailers and workshops and offices on 12 Church Street closed their doors for the last time.
