The Founders/Small Beginnings
The labour force was only six in 1914 when the firm of W. A. P. Watson was formed at 36 Northampton Street in Birmingham's jewellery quarter by Mr. A. H. Power and Mr. Clarence Flint. A limited company was formed in 1915, and these premises were occupied till 1934 when continual expansion made it necessary to move.
The number of workers employed totalled 125 when W. A. P. Watson moved to the factory (shown left) in nearby Great Hampton Street. During the war the workpeople here made jigs and gauges for the War Department, resuming their production of fashion jewellery at the end of hostilities. This building was occupied till 1955 when further expansion made it necessary to build a modern factory at Solihull, just outside Birmingham.
While at Great Hampton Street W.A.. P. Watson had also taken over specifically for producing crested souvenirs, the premises shown on the right. These were at Mary Street, also in the jewellery quarter.
