Last fall we had a real fun thread in IHC185 about Farmer's watches, and recently I picked up a real "Farmers Special" 18 size Pocket Watch" from a seller who thought (along with the rest of eBay's bidders) that is was a "Swiss Fake", when in fact it's a 9 Jewel ROCKFORD! . . .

Now there are two things especially interesting about this watch;
1. It is truly the simplest Rockford I have EVER seen!

2. Is this Jeweler in London England, or Ontario Canada?

Finally a "Farmer's Special" in London England?, and that part of Ontario makes wine (I think)

David, Having been borne and raised in London Ontario Canader I can tell you that wine making and grape growing was not practiced in this part of the country at the time of your watch.It was primarily a mixed farming neighbourhood,beef and cash crops.What I find interesting about your watch is the watchmaker. I will have a look around in some archives but I think I remember this watchmaker living in a small town (Byron) that is on the outskirts of London. In any respect it is in fine shape and a good find. Congratulations!!
John

Thank You John and I appreciate your benevolent tolerance of my mis-guided Humor. Anything you can discover about N.F.Willmot would be moch appreciated. This watch is in near-perfect condition, and the naming is what is really exraordinary to me as at the time it was made a "farmer" in Ontario was more likely strrugging to survive day by day as much as to buy a "Farmer's Watch" for the price of seed for his next crops. A conclusion I draw from reading the life History of James J. Hill who (after receiving an unusual and good education from a local churchman) "escaped" from an early 19th century Candaian Farmer's existence to finally form Great Northern RR system as well as cooperating (with the same basic financial group) to create the vast CPR system.

Hi David, The young woman that I work with is very keen on local history and the following is a credit to her ability to "ferret" out the good stuff. I am working from a listing she gave me of the history of Mr. Norman F. Willmot et al. 1893 N.F.Willmot is employed by H. Davis&SonWatches Clocks and jewellery170 Dundas St. London Ontario( the main drag),1894 N.F. Willmot starts his own business 227 Dundas St. Somewhere between 1897 and 1901 he starts selling eyeglasses as well as his jewellery business. In 1902 moved to 217 1/2 Dundas St. His home is listed asa 771 Waterloo St.( within walking distance of his business) 1919 Moves his home address to 766 Colbourne St. and also lists Edward W. Willmot as a salesman (son). Somewhere between 1947 and 1949 N.F. Willmot passes away and the son takes over the business. Around 1959 Edward W. Willmot shows up in Byron (this is obviuosly the fellow I remember)still as a watchmaker. 1967 is the next date that shows up and that shows Byron being annexed by London and as I recall the business closed very shortly thereafter. If you have a fax I can send you an advertisement from the directory of 1898-1899 from Mr. N.F Willmot's store and you are certainly welcome to the whole paper that I have used here.
Cheers, Best regards, John

Thank you John, Please thank your co-worker for her help. That whole story certainly fills in the watch's "provenance" and History of the namesake.
SUGGESTION, if your co-worker person enjoys finding these things, maybe you could get her in touch with Sheila Gilbert and they could work together to help research these things.

Please contact me at my e-mail david@glopar.com about the fax and mailing details and if you mail that I would be very pleased send you a watch stand kit.

JW, The Willmot documents came today, and that is a winner! So prepare yourself for the effort to make a nifty wooden watch stand.
Thank You