Rare c1900 Australian Retailer "Drummond & Co, Melbourne" Pocket Watch Movement
William Drummond & Co. was a prominent retailer of silver and precious objects in Melbourne, Australia, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The company was founded by William Drummond, a Scottish immigrant who arrived in Melbourne in the mid-19th century. Drummond initially worked as a goldsmith and jeweller, but he soon expanded his business to include the sale of silverware and other luxury items.By the 1870s, William Drummond & Co. had become one of Melbourne's most prestigious retailers of silver and precious objects, catering to the city's growing middle and upper classes. The company's showrooms, firstly on Collins Street and later on Bourke Street, were filled with an array of high-end items, including silverware, jewellery, watches, and other luxury goods.
William Drummond & Co. was known for its high-quality products and its commitment to excellence in design and craftsmanship. The company imported silverware and other items from some of the world's leading manufacturers, including Tiffany & Co. and Elkington & Co. of England, and also employed skilled local artisans to create bespoke pieces for its clients. Highlights of the business included designing and creating a diamond and ruby brooch for Queen Elizabeth II, and later thanked Melbourne jeweller W.M. Drummond for the designed and created for her during her 1954 tour, and later a diamond and ruby brooch for the Queen Mother.
In addition to its retail business, William Drummond & Co. also played an important role in the cultural life of Melbourne, sponsoring art exhibitions and other events and commissioning works by local artists and craftsmen.
William Drummond & Co. remained a leading retailer of silver and precious objects in Melbourne until the mid-20th century, when changing social and economic conditions led to a decline in demand for luxury goods.
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The movement & dial are both signed Drummond & Co, Melbourne. ENGLISH It's a nice dial that just needs a light clean. The balance is broken & will need a repair to get going. Dial plate is approx 41mm in diameter. Selling as pictured, no crown or case.
Local Brisbane pick-up welcomed. Always happy to combine postage where possible & practical. HNCO are not responsible for import duties or customs charges. This is the buyers / importers responsibility.
