Beautifully crafted pocket watches, drawing inspiration from antique originals. A E Williams family have been pewter makers since 1779. The Greenwich Pocket Watch Company  have a wide range of quality pocket watches either full or half hunter and open face, depending on your particular choice. Our Travelling range of pocket watches allows the wearer to fix a sturdy leather holder onto a belt loop, giving easy accessibility to your pocket watch.  We also stock a beautiful range of pocket watch stands for the ideal accessory for your treasured pocket watch.

HISTORY 

Historiaclly A E Williams have produced traditional pewterware for Cathedrals, Palaces, Stately homes and for use in theatre and television work as well as domestic Pewterware.The family have been making pewter since 1779 and continue to this day to produce beautiful hand cast traditional Pewterware and with the addition of a modern Pewter gift range, collectors now have an unrivalled choice of pewter.

Present family members are members of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers, as were their forebears and Freemen of the City of London.

What is Pewter ?

Pewter is a mixture of metals, the largest portion being tin. British pewter contains at least 90% tin together with additions of antimony and copper, which are required to harden and strengthen the alloy. The result is pewter, the fourth most valuable metal in general use after platinum, gold and silver.

Todays pewter does not contain lead so is non toxic. Pewterware is made from solid metal and unlike plated metals with a limited durability will last indefinitely.

Traditional Craftsmanship.

There are two methods of fashioning into pewterware items. The first relies on a traditional art passed down through the years by the origianl pewter craftsmen and is called casting. Molten metal is poured into specially prepared moulds and allowed to cool. The cast items are then removed from the moulds and skilfully turned on a lathe. The introduction of centrifugal casting enables the craftsmen to produce even finer details in pewter pieces.

Original Moulds.

Original moulds have survived the centuries and are still in use today. They are complemented by new moulds made to produce the latest designs, giving the customer the choice between classical and contemporary styles.

Spinning.

The second method is referred to as spinning. Sheet  pewter is used in this process rather than ingot form used in casting. Discs of sheet pewter are stamped out and placed on a fast spinning lathe. The craftsman then applies pressure to manipulate the metal into the desired article.

Finishing.

Whichever method is used to produce the final object, the same time-intensive finishing techniques are applied. Large items are skilfully assembled from a number of different shapes and carefully soldered together. The pewter pieces are then buffed to the desired finish or chemically 'coloured' to give an antique look to the item. Finally, all articles are cleaned and buffed using French chalk and soft dusters.

Pewter today.

The Worshipful Company of Pewterers, one of the city of London's oldest livery companies, can trace its origins back to 1348. The company was originally formed to uphold the quality of the pewter craft and the pewter metal itself. The power to enforce to these aims came in 1474 when King Edward IV gave the company its first charter. They were then at liberty to lay down standards and enforce them by searching the pewterers place of work and inspect pewter items for quality. The penalty for ill-mixed metal or poor workmanship was to have the items seized. Obviously this threat was to a pewterers livelihood was a daunting one and helped maintain the industry's high standards through the centuries. 

Caring for pewter.

It is good to know that pewter does not require constant attention or arm aching polishing and does not tarnish as readily as silver or silver-plate.

Do

Wash in warm soapy water or mild detergent. Dry with a soft cloth. (Not pocket watches)

Don't

Attempt to put pewter into a dishwasher.

Do

Use methylated spirits to freshen your pewter.

Don't

Expose your pewter to a naked flame or direct heat.

Do

Use a non abrasive metal polish to restore lusture to neglected pewter.