Historical information

This watch key is inscribed with the name of ‘T. Ferguson’, a watchmaker and jeweller from Warrnambool. He may have been the maker of the key or the distributor. No information has been found on ‘T. Ferguson’ but he may have been related to William Ferguson, a well-known Warrnambool watchmaker, jeweller and oculist in the early 1900s. William Ferguson was a Warrnambool Councillor and Mayor. His shop was in Timor Street.

Significance

This watch key is of minor interest as one with some provenance. It is of Warrnambool origin. It also has some social significance as an example of the type of pocket watch and key used in the early 20th century.

Physical description

This is a small watch key with a metal mechanism for winding a pocket watch, a circular metal section, gilded over, with the name of the watchmaker and a small top section with a ring for hanging the item on a chain etc.

Inscriptions & markings

On one side of the circular section: ‘T.Ferguson, Warnambool’(sic)
On the reverse side: ‘Watch Maker & Jeweller’