Harwood Self-Winding Watch Co
London, United Kingdom · Est. 1923
Founded by John Harwood
Harwood Self-Winding Watch Co was the company behind John Harwood's revolutionary 1923 invention of the automatic (self-winding) wristwatch. Despite the significance of the innovation, the company went bankrupt during the Great Depression.
- Founded
- 1923
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1931
Harwood went bankrupt in 1931 during the Great Depression, just eight years after inventing the automatic wristwatch — one of horology's cruelest ironies.
John Harwood invented the automatic wristwatch and got nothing for it — every self-winding watch in history owes him a royalty cheque that never arrived.
Key Collections
- Harwood Automatic — The world's first commercially produced automatic wristwatch, patented in 1924 and manufactured from 1928, featuring a revolutionary bumper winding system activated by wrist movement.
- Harwood Bumper — Distinguished by its signature 'bumper' rotor mechanism that oscillated 180 degrees rather than rotating fully, providing power through natural arm motion without manual winding.
Timeline
- 1923 — English watchmaker John Harwood invents the first practical automatic winding mechanism for wristwatches on the Isle of Man.
- 1924 — Harwood patents his self-winding wristwatch mechanism in Switzerland (Swiss Patent 106583).
- 1926 — Harwood Self-Winding Watch Co established in London to commercialise the invention.
- 1928 — Production begins in partnership with Fortis in Switzerland; approximately 30,000 movements manufactured.
- 1931 — Company declares bankruptcy during the Great Depression, ending production of the pioneering automatic watches.
Frequently Asked Questions about Harwood Self-Winding Watch Co
- When did Harwood Self-Winding Watch Co stop making watches?
- Harwood ceased production in 1931 when the company went bankrupt during the Great Depression, just three years after commercial production had begun.
- Are Harwood watches still valuable?
- Original Harwood automatic watches are highly prized by collectors as they represent the birth of automatic wristwatch technology. Surviving examples in good condition command significant premiums at auction due to their historical importance.
- Can I still buy a Harwood watch today?
- Harwood watches can only be acquired through vintage watch dealers, auction houses, or private collectors, as no revival of the brand has occurred since the 1931 bankruptcy.
- Why is Harwood significant in watchmaking history?
- John Harwood invented the first practical self-winding wristwatch mechanism, a technology that would later be refined by Rolex, Omega, and others to become standard in mechanical watches worldwide.
- How many original Harwood watches were made?
- Approximately 30,000 Harwood automatic movements were produced between 1928 and 1931, with manufacturing undertaken by Fortis and other Swiss partners under licence.