The Services Watch Co
The Services Watch Co
History
Another of Britain's significant watch brands was the Services Watch Company, founded at 35, Leicester Grove, Leeds on 14th June 1926 by Frank Liquorish. They would become a significant retailer of 'Services Sports Watches' by casing up a variety of German (Thiel), Swiss (many Oris) and, post-war British (mainly Smiths and Anglo Celtic, some Newmark) movements. They moved to Leicester in February 1927, originally at Central Buildings, Market Place, Leicester, then 37, Belvoir Street, then to Jewry Wall Street moving around 1949 to 25-27, Bede Street where was now also their Aviation Watch Co subsidiary (believed established around 1938 in Tyrell Street - by Frank Liquorish). They moved to Time House, Braunstone Gate, Leicester and then to a refurbished 27,000 sq.ft factory, Time House, Duke Street in 1966. Their 'Aircraft' brand used many Anglo-Celtic PY pocket- and RY wrist-watch movements while the Services 'Colonial' range used Newmark movements. They owned several little known sub-brands but despite their name, Services did not supply the armed forces.
Frank died 30th May 1954 and the business was continued under G H Jessop (who came from the textiles industry). Services are credited with the first linen effect dials and, in moving up-market, pioneered cloth padded luxury presentation cases, copied by others! Their watches would only be available through jewellers from 1957. Jessop left in 1968. Howard White (ex-Anglo-Celtic) joined Services as Works Manager in 1956, becoming Technical Director until 1972 when he too left (he was also a director of Swiss Watch Corporation (England) Ltd). Services then became simple importers and disappeared soon after.
