TROY WATCH WORKS
The Troy Watch Works was a South African watch retailer operating from one location in Johannesburg, on the corner of Eloff and Pritchard street- In the Johannesburg Central Business District. The company was a retailer for many brands, but most notably Lemania, for which they were the sole retailer in South Africa.
TROY was often printed on the dial, alongside or without Lemania,and in some cases the company for which the watches were made too.
Troy Watch Works was opened in 1897 when E. Nicole and his wife moved from Switzerland to South Africa. The name Troy was adopted from the exact measurement of weight- “troy” as in a troy ounce. This was fitting because of the fact that Troy watch sold many special gold watches and troy was a popular measurement of weight of these precious metals.
Anglo American Company, A British multi-national mining company, based in Johannesburg had a great relationship with Troy Watch and would frequently place orders of Lemania Stopwatches for use in mines. The Anglo American Company (AAC) also commissioned watches which they awarded to employees for 25 years of service. These watches would have AAC lettered and bordered with gold inserts at the top of the dial, With both Lemania and TROY displayed at the bottom of the dial.
Only 400 of these watches were produced, but sadly many have been melted down for their gold value and a lot fewer remain, especially in such good condition. The watch houses Lemania’s Automatic Caliber 4651 movement.
Two Lemania stopwatches Co-Branded ‘TROY’ – Sold by Troy Watch.
Another example of Troy’s gold watches is this Lemania with a CH27 movement (most popularly known as the Omega 321)- Branded by TROY and housed in an elegant 18 karat gold case.
The Piguet family maintained close ties to Lemania and, two generations down the line, John Piguet of Piguet-Kahn Jewellers was back in Switzerland with his two brothers, doing a watchmaking apprenticeship next to the Lemania factory- where they spent a lot of time.
It is unclear whether Troy Watch was responsible for supplying was the South African Air Force with their infamous Lemania 5012, the Lemania 1872 and the Lemania 2220. An automatic chronograph, a manual wind chronograph and a single-pusher, manual wind chronograph respectively. It is possible that the SAAF Ordered their Lemania 5012, Lemania 1872 and Lemania 2220 straight from Lemania Watch Co in Switzerland. TROY Watch did supply pilots with dash clocks.
Troy Watch would have sold similar models to these, Such as the Lemania 5100, Civilian versions of the 1872 and possibly 2220s as well.
These watches have also been produced in very limited numbers- More information on these watches can be found in the other articles here: Lemania1872 and Lemania5012
TROY WATCH WORKS also branded their own watch straps. On the left and center are two Troy watch straps, On the right is a New Old Stock Solvil watch with a ‘Troy Watch‘ branded strap (Center and right)
(Above: A large TROY watch with an Eta caliber movement.)
Troy Watch closed in 2000 after over a century of providing beautiful dress watches and essential tool watches as well as timekeepers to the mines, military and many others. As more of these interesting and rare timepieces surface, they are becoming much more sought after by South African history enthusiasts and watch collectors alike.
As more of these interesting timepieces, as well as the information regarding them surfaces, more will be added to the article.
Should you have anything to contribute, It would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me on James@origintime.co.za or 0027 066-200-1272.
Many thanks to John Piguet of Piguet-Kahn Jewellers for sharing your knowledge on the topic.
Information I never knew before, Thanks
I am in possession of a Lemania Troy watch given to my father for bravery in the 1960’s.
It is engraved and I do have paperwork to back up.
I will send photos if you are interested to see
My late father Joseph Charles Millett-Clay received his 25 year service watch with AAC in 1963. It is inscribed on the back:
“FOR 25 YEARS SERVICE, 1938 – 63, JC MILLETT-CLAY”.
In the late 1960’s, still working on the mine, my father forgot his watch next to his bed. At the time contractors from the mine were paining the house and this particular day, it was their last day there.
When he got home from work, the watch was missing and immediately he thought of the painters.
He reported it to mine security and they traced the contractor to the next job. When they arrived to ask questions, they found that the painter had it on his wrist. They immediately confiscated it and returned it to my dad.
They found that the painter had tried to scratch out his name and date on the reverse side, but just made dents in the casing.
We are glad to have it back in the family and it is now safe with me, the eldest son with the same name as my dad.
I was awarded my lemania Troy by the management of President Steyn for rescuing a fellow worker in 1969. I was a shiftboss at that time. It was my “dress” watch for many years. I retired in 1996 and decided that it needed a bit of a clean up. I entrusted that work to “THE TIME MACHINE ” in Knysna and it looks and runs like clockwork!! as do others in my collection. Unfortunately my long service Omega was stolen
Thanks for the opportunity to tell my story Kind regards
Further to my previous comments 19Oct., I must add that a good friend and colleague “Dops” du Plessis was also involved in the rescue and also received a lemania watch. I didn’t mention it because he is decieced and I thought it would be wise to discuss the matter with Ghillie his brother first. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to do so yet, but will try again soon. Two other matters come to mind. You will have noticed that the “TROY” script is missing, this occurred during it’s restoration and, I would very much like to obtain the correct strap, so if you hopefully have one, please let me know