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cur10k
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
 Posted - 30/05/2017 : 09:50:24
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Recently on FB pics were shown of a watch presented by the MG Car Co to G Phillips on the occasion of the Magic Midget covering 100mph in 1931. Separately I recently purchased another watch presented by Wakefield Castrol on the same occasion. Pics are attached.
Does anyone know more about these watches?
Thanks, Bob
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George Eagle
United Kingdom
3230 Posts |
Posted - 30/05/2017 : 10:07:47
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Hello Bob
Welcome to the Forum with your first posting.
I am afraid I do not know anything about the watches but I am sure someone will be able to supply some information. They are certainly desirable and historic pieces.
George
Hon Sec
L2023 |
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KJ1592
United Kingdom
451 Posts |
Posted - 30/05/2017 : 18:35:39
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Hi Bob,
Welcome to the forum. The first watch looks to be very nice and original, any more than that I can't really say.
I saw the second on eBay last week and was thinking of bidding on it as I've collected pre war MG memorabilia for many years and never seen another. The reason I didn't is that the watch itself dates from the 1950's but the engraving purports to be earlier. Maybe this was a promotional piece produced in the 50's by Castrol or maybe it's something that has been engraved much more recently. I'm really not sure. An intriguing item nonetheless. Hopefully another forum member can shed some light on it.
All the best,
Ian. |
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KJ1592
United Kingdom
451 Posts |
Posted - 30/05/2017 : 18:39:21
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Hi Bob,
Welcome to the forum. The first watch looks to be very nice and original, any more than that I can't really say.
I saw the second on eBay last week and was thinking of bidding on it as I've collected pre war MG memorabilia for many years and never seen another. The reason I didn't is that the watch itself dates from the 1950's but the engraving purports to be earlier. Maybe this was a promotional piece produced in the 50's by Castrol or maybe it's something that has been engraved much more recently. I'm really not sure. An intriguing item nonetheless. Hopefully another forum member can shed some light on it.
All the best,
Ian. |
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sam christie
United Kingdom
3060 Posts |
Posted - 30/05/2017 : 20:01:50
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Sam |
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cur10k
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
Posted - 30/05/2017 : 23:55:18
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Thanks Ian,
I'll make some enquiries from 'Smiths' experts & report my findings here.
Regards
Bob
quote:
Originally posted by KJ1592
Hi Bob,
Welcome to the forum. The first watch looks to be very nice and original, any more than that I can't really say.
I saw the second on eBay last week and was thinking of bidding on it as I've collected pre war MG memorabilia for many years and never seen another. The reason I didn't is that the watch itself dates from the 1950's but the engraving purports to be earlier. Maybe this was a promotional piece produced in the 50's by Castrol or maybe it's something that has been engraved much more recently. I'm really not sure. An intriguing item nonetheless. Hopefully another forum member can shed some light on it.
All the best,
Ian.
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cur10k
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
Posted - 30/05/2017 : 23:55:59
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And your point is caller....??
quote:
Originally posted by sam christie
Sam
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sam christie
United Kingdom
3060 Posts |
Posted - 31/05/2017 : 10:32:49
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My point is contained in the proverbs that provenance is everything and If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The stop watch looks plausible but cries out for corroboration. Who was G. Phillips and why did he need a stop watch?
The 'MG' on the cheap Smiths pocket watch would have surely read 'M.G.' if it had been genuine. Sadly it looks as though it has been enhanced by someone who has been impressed by the stop watch.
The Bart Simpson watch is completely genuine but I am a little uneasy about 'MG' having no full stops. It is of course is fabulously valuable .
Sam |
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cur10k
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
Posted - 31/05/2017 : 10:40:06
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Thanks,
I've emailed the archivist at Kimber House to ask if he has any info on both & if I get anything from him or other sources I'll post on here.
I agree that the first looks authentic, it came in its original box as well with the makers name clearly shown.
The second one? Well I'll find out what I can!
Thanks,
Bob
quote:
Originally posted by sam christie
My point is contained in the proverbs that provenance is everything and If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The stop watch looks plausible but cries out for corroboration. Who was G. Phillips and why did he need a stop watch?
The 'MG' on the cheap Smiths pocket watch would have surely read 'M.G.' if it had been genuine. Sadly it looks as though it has been enhanced by someone who has been impressed by the stop watch.
The Bart Simpson watch is completely genuine but I am a little uneasy about 'MG' having no full stops. It is of course is fabulously valuable .
Sam
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Cathelijne
Netherlands
744 Posts |
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rodb
New Zealand
260 Posts |
Posted - 31/05/2017 : 21:16:37
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Bob
Can you advise who the seller was please? or his sale name?
In know of an individual who sells items that are recently engraved with MG, Rolls Royce and Bentley inscriptions.
He also has genuine items from time to time
RodB NZ |
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Matthew Magilton
Australia
179 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2017 : 05:02:20
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Maybe that's George on the right?
Page 86 of Combat by Barre Lyndon.
I perused the chapter but did not spot Phillips mentioned.
The chisel type engraving on the first watch is almost a lost art these days.
Matthew. |
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Colin Butchers
United Kingdom
1485 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2017 : 11:12:39
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My local branch of Peacocks do a nice line in "original 1931 M.G. Works Mechanics" Black Berets. Just £400 each.
Colin B. |
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cur10k
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2017 : 20:45:36
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Thanks Rob,
It was bought in the UK so I assume is unlikely to have a NZ connection.
The sellers name is 'madeinsheffield' & allegedly the watch with other motoring items had belonged to her late father.
Regards,
Bob
quote:
Originally posted by rodb
Bob
Can you advise who the seller was please? or his sale name?
In know of an individual who sells items that are recently engraved with MG, Rolls Royce and Bentley inscriptions.
He also has genuine items from time to time
RodB NZ
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KJ1592
United Kingdom
451 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2017 : 21:25:45
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RodB,
I know the 'gentleman' you are referring to as do most automobilia collectors in the UK and can assure you that he was not the seller.
The person selling the watch had quite a few nice original items of automobilia for sale on eBay (not MG related) and I bought a couple of things for my collection.
All the best,
Ian. |
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