Roy Cecil King began his career at the age of 14 as an apprentice goldsmith and diamond mounter in Hatton Garden. Foreman of a workshop at 21 in the 1930s, he found himself an unaccredited manufacturer for names such as Rolex, Cartier, Asprey and Garrard
The Roy King workshop won two first prizes, a second and a third at the British Modern Jewellery Exhibition in 1961. The winning pieces are now in the permanent collection of Goldsmith’s Hall
This exquisite solid Sterling Silver example features a minimalist black dial decorated only by silver baton hands, King’s signature and ‘Swiss’
The refined case and bezel remain in wonderful condition. Bold hallmarks adorn the case-back, telling us the watch was assayed in London in 1974
Both the pressed leather strap and Sterling Silver buckle are original to the piece and remain in very good condition
The Swiss made, manual wind Bueche-Girod movement runs smoothly and keeps excellent time
