1879

Mr J.G. Harper

In March 1879, Mr J.G. Harper with Mr C.R. Pleasance, began trading as retail jewellers and watch specialists from premises in Wine Street, Bristol.

Over the years the company have shown themselves to be pioneers, being one of the first businesses in Bristol to have an overland telephone, which it shared with nine other users.

(picture: Mr J.G.Harper)

1913

The First

In 1913 the firm were the first to have wireless time signals beamed direct from Paris to a receiving station above the shop and to the black hanging sphere which descended at precisely 1.00pm every day. Bristolians would gather to set their watches by this daily ritual.

(picture: 4 Wine St, Bristol)

Bristol
1919

Expansion

In 1919, J.G. Harper’s three sons, Ernest, Gilbert and Leslie, came into the business and the company became a private limited company.

An expansion programme began with the opening of shops in Shrewsbury and Newport followed by Swansea, Hereford, Oxford, Gloucester and Weston Super Mare.

(picture: Newport)

Newport
1940

Air Raids

Unfortunately both Bristol and Swansea shops were destroyed by air raids in 1940.

After the Second World War, the sons of Ernest and Gilbert Harper joined the family business, creating a third generation. It was the work of these three sons – Reginald, Michael and Antony – that brought the company through the last 30 plus years of the 1900’s.

(picture: Swansea)

Swansea
1990

Hereford

Due to the demise of the older directors, with fewer executive directors, the Shrewsbury, Oxford and Gloucester shops were closed and the business of Clement White in Yeovil was purchased. After the deaths of Reginald and Michael Harper only one active director, Antony Harper, was left, so in the 1990’s the decision was made to concentrate all the company’s efforts into one shop. Hereford was chosen, as the business had been established for over 60 years and enjoyed a good reputation, which continues today.

(picture: Hereford)

1997

4th Generation

In 1997 Mark, the fourth generation of Harpers brought new life to the business when he joined his father in the trade. After the death of first his Uncle Michael, then his father Anthony, Mark took over as chairman. He continues to uphold the principles set by his great grandfather at the beginning – the importance of family values.

(picture: Mr M.J.Harper)

Mark Harper
2010

Watch Boutique

2010 saw the opening of a second shop in Hereford. Pleasance & Harper now offer an exciting and wide range of traditional and modern jewellery, timepieces and giftware, including brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Clogau among others. Alongside this they offer jewellery and watch repairs and an expert valuation service.

(picture: Watch Boutique, Hereford)

Watch Boutique
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