Here we a lovely example of a 1924 Pleasance & Harper LTD of Bristol, retailed watch. It has an octagonal case which is formed of silver, with hallmarking from Edinburgh assay office dating it to 1924. It has the makers marks ‘R&S’ for Rotherham & Sons. The case is well proportioned, measuring 32mm x 32mm. It has the original enamel dial which is in excellent condition. It has the railroad minute track with the italic stylised arabic numerals and blue 12. The sub-seconds are inset, with the thermally blued spade and whip hands indicating the time. Below 12 is the Pleasance & Harper retailer signing. To the right is the original onion style crown. The movement is a good quality 15 jewel movement by Electa. It has been recently serviced and is in very good condition for the age.
 
An antique enamel dial in very good condition is a joy on a wristwatch. The white tone is bright and even like the day it was made. It is a classic layout with the railroad minute track around the exterior. The hours are indicated by the italic stylised arabic numerals. They have a lovely font and the inclusion of the blue 12 is not very common to see. It adds a nice differentiation with the pop of colour. The sub-second dial is inset and has the railroad track with single second dashes and 10 second arabic markers. The sub-second hand is thermally blued with the lollipop counterbalance. The spade and whip hands are in lovely condition with the bright thermally blued tone. Below 12 is the ‘Pleasance & Harper LTD Bristol’ signing. To the base, it is signed as ‘Swiss Made’.
 
The case is formed of silver and is well proportioned for the age measuring 32mm x 32mm. The lug width in this period was smaller with a width of 12mm. The case is a neat wear on the wrist with a 10mm depth, with the 37mm lug to lug length adding a little bit more presence on the wrist.
This form of octagonal case is a real joy to wear. At the time it was a less common case shape to be used. It stands out on the wrist and catches the eye due to the unusual form. It consists of a central piece with the fixed wire lugs, with the bezel and case back snapping into place. The way the case is designed provides a continuity on the wrist. The bezel falls to meet the flat case sides, whilst the back follows the same profile. This allows the watch to sit well on the wrist and the angles catch the light, whilst the flat block sides provide presence. The wire lugs are sturdy and straight to the top and bottom, whilst the original onion style crown sits to the right-hand side.
The case back is free of engraving and fits tightly to the centre section of the case. Inside it is signed with the ‘R&S’ makers mark, for Rotherham & Sons. It has hallmarking from Edinburgh assay office for imported silver, with the date letter ‘T’ correlating to 1924.
 
The movement has a lovely gilt frosted finish which was popular on early watches sold in the UK market. It is a quality movement, with lovely bevelled edges to the bridges and a nice standard of finishing. It is a 15 jewel Swiss lever movement which seems to have been produced by Electa. Rotherham & Sons bought Electa in 1926 and it makes sense that they had a relationship using their movements, with the ‘R&S’ stamp before then. It has been recently serviced and has a daily variation of +80 seconds a day, with a strong amplitude of 310 degrees.
 
Pleasance & Harper
 
Pleasance & Harper began in March 1879, when Mr C.R. Pleasance and  Mr J.G. Harper, began trading as retail jewellers and watch specialists from their premises in Wine Street, Bristol.
They were early adopters of new technology, being one of the first businesses in Bristol to have an overland telephone, which they shared with nine other users.
In 1913 the firm were the first to have wireless time signals beamed direct from Paris to a receiving station above the shop. A black hanging sphere descended at 13:00 every afternoon. Bristolians would gather to set their watches accordingly.
In 1919 Harpers three sons came into the business and the company became a private limited company. This began an expansion programme, with new shops opening in Shrewsbury, Newport, Swansea, Hereford, Oxford, Gloucester and Weston Super Mare.
 
Sadly, the Bristol and Swansea shops were destroyed by German air raids in the tail end of 1940.
 
Today the business is in its 4th generation, Mr. Mark J Harper who first joined alongside his father in 1997. He then took over the business after the passing of his father and uncle.
In 2010 they opened a second shop in Hereford, with a focus on watches. This boutique sought to offer modern jewellery, timepieces and giftware, being an authenticated dealer for Omega, Tag Heuer and Longines amongst others.
 
The watch is modled on a 7" wrist circumfrence. 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial:
The dial is original and is in very good condition for the age. The enamel has no cracks, chips or hairlines. The signing is bright and clear. The retailer signing has slight wear, but is legible.  
 
Hands:
The hands are original. They are of spade and whip style and have a bright thermally blued tone. They are in good condition. The sub-second hand is also original.
 
Glass:
The crystal is a replacement and is in perfect condition.
 
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition. There is slight wear to the plated finish. It functions well.
 
Case:
The case is formed of silver and is in good antique condition. It has light marking and scratches associated with age. The bezel and back snap on tightly.
 
Caseback:
The case back is formed of silver and snaps into place well. It is in good antique condition. It has light surface scratching associated with age. 
 
Strap:
The watch is presented on a new genuine leather strap by Condor, for fixed lugs, which is glued in place. The strap will fit up to a 7.5” wrist diameter. 
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference to give an idea of the proportions.
 
Movement:
Inside is a good quality 15 jewel Swiss lever movement by Electra, with the Rotherham & Sons stamp. 
The movement is in very good condition, being recently serviced. It is keeping time to within +80 seconds a day, with a strong amplitude of 310 degrees and a beat error of 0.5 m/s.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 32mm
Case width with crown: 34.5mm 
Case length: 32mm 
Case length lug to lug: 37mm
Case Depth: 10.4mm
Lug width: 12mm