Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Luxury goods |
Founded | 1866 in New Town, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Founder | Sir Robert Kirk Inches |
Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 1 showroom and point of sale in Edinburgh |
Area served | |
Key people | Victoria Houghton (Chief executive officer) |
Products |
|
Website | hamiltonandinches |
Hamilton & Inches is a luxury jeweller and jewellery designer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. [1] The company has held a royal warrant to the British monarch as goldsmiths, silversmiths, clock & watchmakers for over 120 years. [2] The company's main headquarters are on George Street in New Town, Edinburgh. The company was founded by Sir Robert Inches and his uncle James Hamilton in 1866.
In addition to manufacturing jewellery, the jewellers also historically held the honour of being "His Majesty’s Clockmaker and Keeper and Dresser of His Majesty’s Clocks, Watches and Pendulums in Palaces and Houses in his Ancient Kingdom of Scotland" in the Royal Household of Scotland. This role was renewed in 2010 as "Silversmiths and Clock Specialists to her Majesty The Queen". [3]
In addition to fine jewellery Hamilton and Inches is known for producing trophies for some of the world's most illustrious sporting events, including the Scottish Open and the Lanark Silver Bell. [4] [5]
Hamilton & Inches was founded in 1866 on Princes Street in Edinburgh by Robert Inches and his uncle James Hamilton. On 1 June 1866 Hamilton & Inches registered their hallmark with the Edinburgh assay office. [2] [6]
In 1903 Robert Inches helped found the Edinburgh Association of Goldsmiths, Silversmiths and Watchmakers, ‘to prevent firms from selling ‘shoddy’ goods and protecting consumer interest’. [7]
Following Robert's death, the company passed to his son, Edward James Inches. In 1952 the company relocated from Princes Street to their present home of number 87 George Street. [7]
In 2016 Hamilton & Inches celebrated 150 years of business. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the jewellers to mark the occasion, and was presented with a bejewelled bowl designed after a loch on the river Tay. [8]
In 2021 the Hamilton & Inches main showroom underwent a restoration. The outside of the showroom was clad in Scottish Whinstone, while the interior was renovated with curved glass panels set in antique bronze and jewellery displayed on a carved breccia marble plinth with silk on top. [9]
Hamilton & Inches has also continued in its role as a clock and watch specialist, and has significant space allocated to the sale of Patek Philippe and Rolex watches, doubling this space in 2021. [10]
Garrard & Co. Limited, formerly Asprey & Garrard Limited, designs and manufactures luxury jewellery and silver. George Wickes founded Garrard in London in 1735 and the brand is headquartered at Albemarle Street in Mayfair, London. Garrard also has a presence in a number of other locations globally. Garrard was the first official and most notably important Crown Jeweller of the United Kingdom having supplied jewels for Queen Victoria herself, and was charged with the upkeep of the British Crown Jewels, from 1843 to 2007, and was responsible for the creation of many tiaras and jewels still worn by the British royal family today. As well as jewellery, Garrard is known for having created some of the world's most illustrious sporting trophies, including the Americas Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy and a number of trophies for Royal Ascot in its role as Official Trophies and Silverware Supplier, which originally dates back to the first Gold Cup in 1842.
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