I am new to the forum , and I wonder if anyone can advise me the best way to search for any watch made by my husbands great grandfather Joseph Sermin and Sons , Sheffield. They were a family of watchmakers and jewellers and to own anything made by them would be great. I’ve looked online but with no success. Thanks in advance and apologies for my naivety.
Joseph Sermin Watchmakers Sheffield
Jane Sayliss
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Thanks for sharing the pictures. Watchmakers' papers like that were a real work of art.
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I am still not sure about a few things. If the watch was made in Waltham originally, what input did the Sermins have in its making, or were they just the suppliers of it to the public? Hence the paper insert. I will have to research a bit more I think as my watchmaking knowledge is very much in its infancy .
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I think Sermin were wholesalers as well as retailers. In 1920 they were advertising "Wanted for wholesale watch material business; some practical be most useful: watch makers ..." (grabbed off britishnewspaperarchive search, so it's a bit garbled) and there's also talk of a workshop.
The Waltham watch, as explored in the original thread, has the A.B. sponsors mark of Alfred Bedford, manager of Waltham Watch Co in London, so it looks like they bought in the whole watch.
The one I showed earlier, with the J. Sermin name on the dial, could have been assembled by them. They may have bought the movement and case separately, then put the watch together themselves.
The Waltham watch, as explored in the original thread, has the A.B. sponsors mark of Alfred Bedford, manager of Waltham Watch Co in London, so it looks like they bought in the whole watch.
The one I showed earlier, with the J. Sermin name on the dial, could have been assembled by them. They may have bought the movement and case separately, then put the watch together themselves.
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Ah , thanks for that!
Thanks for that information, it maybe basic knowledge to most of you , but I appreciate your helpful explanations . I understand the process a bit more now. Thanks.
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No problem, a pleasure in this case. Of course, another thing the Sermins would have done, even with watches they bought in, would be to regulate it before it went out to a customer, to make sure it was keeping good time.
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Yes, they all did a 6 year watchmakers apprenticeship in Germany ( in fact that’s when they were held by the Germans in 1914 as enemy aliens and not released until 1919) so they must have been quite skilled . They also made barometers , and gifted one to my in-laws in 1957. Still in use I think !
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Hi Jane following up to my post regards the clock ,is this company still operating
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Afternoonit looks my first message was not posted. I was given a clock by my friend he had kept in his workshop. He said I could have so today I started to clean it up. Inside was a small envelope with the the name J Sermin &Son 8 Sharrow lane Sheffield . I have taken a photo hoping to send to this business just to get some information on it. While I was looking for this business I came across your post. My first time on this site.
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Ah, no the business ceased some time ago in the 1960’s. Interestingly, off the back of this thread, I have spoken to and arranged to meet one of the Sermin family. Her husband and son bear a striking resemblance to the original Joseph Sermin watchmaker!
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Hi Jane, from trying to find a girl I lost touch with in the mid 1970's, she worked at Sermins at that time. Unfortunately I've not been had much success yet but if you join or look on Sheffield Forum, search Sermins Jewellers or shops on Sharrow Lane...... you should find some mention the shop. A member called hillbro or Hillsbro I've forgotten which, well he used to go there with his Grandfather to buy watchparts. If you can contact him he might give a little more info. Someone recalled a man (who worked there) having wore metal framed specs with really thick lenses. Just thought you might gain a bit more insight to the family
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Will do! Thanks for that. It all builds a family picture and insight into their world .
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They had a watchmaking business on 8 Sharrow Lane which opened after the shop on Watsons Walk in Sheffield city centre was bombed during the war. Looks like they had little paper inserts that they placed inside their work. There’s a photo on Google of a gold bracelet and jewellery box embossed with their names. I would love to have them , but could properly only afford the box 😂.
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I'm actually holding one right now its a bit battered and bruised was actually taking it to find out more about it my email is shaneol@live.co.uk I can send pics if you like maybe it's something you would like Regards Shane
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Hi I'm actually holding one right now its a bit battered and bruised was actually taking it to find out more about it my email is shaneol@live.co.uk I can send pics if you like maybe it's something you would like
Regards Shane
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hi jane i'm not sure if i helps fully but i have my grandfathers pocket watch which has a paper insert (which is in very good condition) in the back saying j.sermin & sons watsons walk est 1814, the watch face itself looks like it says harris but is faded or worn, i will email you some photos so you can decide if it helps in any way. john
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Ooh thanks! Look forward to seeing the pictures.
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My wife had a sermin watch that belonged to her grandmother. Do you want photos?
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That would be lovely to see ! Thank you very much .
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Hi Jane,
I've recently been clearing out my Mum's and come across a J Sermin & Sons pocket watch. I'm not sure who it belonged to. It could have been her Dad's. I've tried unsuccessfully to send pictures.
If you would like to see it I could send them via my email - jaynehoole@live.co.uk
Unfortunately, even though I've not tried winding it I don't think it's in working order.
I've recently been clearing out my Mum's and come across a J Sermin & Sons pocket watch. I'm not sure who it belonged to. It could have been her Dad's. I've tried unsuccessfully to send pictures.
If you would like to see it I could send them via my email - jaynehoole@live.co.uk
Unfortunately, even though I've not tried winding it I don't think it's in working order.
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