Timepieces the stories they tell

When I first saw this watch, I knew it was for me. Not only because it was by Dent with a movement by Nicole Nielsen ( himself a first class watchmaker who supplied movements to other famous makers to supplement their output) but it was unusual. It is a halh-hunter,where the numerals are on a Blue enamel background around the bulls-eye glass enabling the owner to see the time without opening the cover.
It has an 18 carat Gold case, with removable back cover inscribed with a B over C. However, at this time I was still against inscribed watches thinking this devalued them. But then I said to myself I am not buying to sell but to keep and look after them. Hence it is now mine.

The backplate is inscribed 'B.Copley, Heaton Moor' and sometime later I decided to see if Heaton Moor still existed. The watch having been assayed in 1901.

Heaton Moor required a visit, it is on the outskirts of Manchester and is an eccliastical Parish formed in May 1878 from two other parishes and it was later established under the Local Government Act of 1894. The main public library was most helpful and going through the microfiche of the 1901 census a Burley Copley was found and he was a Teacher of the violin,etc. His Wife was a Teacher of the pianoforte and they had three children. Also at their address was a 'General Servant'. Mr. and Mrs. Copley were originally from Yorkshire. In 1901 they were all living in Wellington Road but in a Directory of 1906 only Mrs. Copley was named at the address.(I have my own thoughts about Mr. Copley and General Servant). Also, found in the 1925 Telephone Directory a Burley Copley was listed in 'Brooklyn', Derby Road, I took this to be the second son who had been given his Father's name.

I am a Member of the Hawk Conservancy, near Andover, Hants. and during the closed season, we have workdays to do various jobs that cannot be done whilst Visitors are on site. On one occasion the Owner asked me to supervise a group on a project. During this I heard two ladies talking about Manchester so I asked them if they knew Heaton Moot. Look of surprise. Then one said she came from there, so I briefly gave her some background and said I finished up at at Derby Road. Again, look of surprise then she said her Parents live in Derby Road and her Father walks their dog past 'Brooklyn'. Small world isn't it?.

This showed me that there are values in inscriptions. The Woman also said that there is a Copley and other locations carry the name, so the Violin teacher or his successors made good.
So maybe another trip to Manchester, some time.
 
 
 
Further stories to follow from other timepieces.