Topic - Watchmakers

Coventry was the centre of the British watchmaking industry in its heyday in the late 19th Century. Coventry produced more watches than London, including many of the highest quality watches in the world at that time. Among Coventry's watchmakers were several immigrant families of Jewish watchmakers. The Jewish community grew inline with the watchmaking industry. It was at the peak of this that watchmakers established the Coventry synagogue and burial ground. The first 5 presidents of the community were all watchmakers. They faced the same prejudices that many migrants do today, including antisemitism. They made major contributions to the life of the city - see details of their lives on the links below. 

In 2023 a Documentary Film and Book were published about the lives of Coventry's Jewish Watchmakers and they feature in the Exhibition at Coventry's Herbert Museum and the Coventry Archive.

Jewish migrant watchmaker families in Coventry included:

• Moss & Mary Fridlander

• Alfred Emanuel & Flora Fridlander

  • Annie Fridlander

  • Ernest David Fridlander

• Philip & Priscilla Cohen

• Levin & Jane Joel

• Mary Emanuel Fridlander & Michael Klean

• Selim & Amy Samuel

• Philip, Evelina & Flora Solomon

• Philip Cohen & Priscilla Solomon

• Mendel, Minah & Joseph Radges

• Francis & Paulina Silveston

• Marks Baum

See these Links for further information:

• Hidden Histories | Coventry Jewish Watchmakers - Book - Amazon Link

• Migration Stories | Hidden Histories - Documentary Film - Stamp Productions Film Trailer Link and Full Film with subtitles for schools use.

• Coventry Watch Museum