Northern Goldsmiths, Blackett Street, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle city centre is home to one of the most recognisable clocks in the North East, but the historic jeweller beneath it has a remarkable claim to fame. Northern Goldsmiths, on the corner of Blackett Street and Pilgrim Street, became the UK's first officially appointed Rolex stockist in 1919, beginning a relationship with the luxury watchmaker that continues more than a century later.
Anyone who has spent time shopping in Newcastle city centre will almost certainly recognise the magnificent golden clock outside Northern Goldsmiths.
Situated just a short walk from Grey's Monument, the distinctive clock and the grand building beneath it have been familiar landmarks for generations of Geordies.
But while thousands of people walk past the building every week, many may be unaware of its extraordinary place in British watchmaking history.
Long before Rolex became one of the world's most recognisable luxury watch brands, it was Newcastle, rather than London, that became home to the company's first officially appointed UK retailer.
A remarkable partnership beginning in 1919
The story begins with Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf, who established his watchmaking business in London in 1905.
Wilsdorf had an ambitious vision for the future of wristwatches, believing they could become fashionable, reliable and accurate timepieces at a time when pocket watches remained popular.
In 1919, as the company relocated its operations to Geneva in Switzerland, Northern Goldsmiths in Newcastle became its first authorised UK stockist.
The decision established a relationship that would continue for more than a century.
According to a 2019 interview with Living North, Craig Bolton, then an executive director of Northern Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb, explained that historical advertisements showed Northern Goldsmiths was the only retailer offering Rolex watches in Britain in 1919.
He also credited Wilsdorf himself with selecting the Newcastle jeweller.
It was a remarkable achievement for a North East business, placing Newcastle at the centre of an important chapter in the development of what would become one of the world's best-known watch brands.
The connection may go back even further
While 1919 is recognised as the beginning of Northern Goldsmiths' official partnership with Rolex, historical records suggest its relationship with the company's founder began several years earlier.
During a major refurbishment of the Newcastle showroom in 2025, a historic sales ledger was highlighted which recorded the sale of a Wilsdorf & Davis watch on 1 January 1911.
Wilsdorf & Davis was the business established by Hans Wilsdorf before Rolex developed into the internationally recognised brand it is today.
The discovery suggests Northern Goldsmiths was dealing in timepieces associated with the Rolex founder at least eight years before becoming an official Rolex retailer.
It adds another fascinating chapter to the Newcastle jeweller's remarkable history.
The famous golden clock
Of course, for many Newcastle residents, Northern Goldsmiths is best known not for its watches but for the magnificent golden clock projecting from its historic building.
The distinctive timepiece, topped by a gilded female figure representing Venus, has become one of Newcastle's most recognisable landmarks.
Historic England's official listing records that the clock was designed by Alfred Glover and added during alterations to the building in the 1930s.
The building itself dates from around 1895 and was designed by architect James Cackett.
Its imposing stone façade, decorative architectural features and domed corner tower make it a striking example of Newcastle's historic commercial architecture.
The clock is particularly memorable because of the golden figure positioned above its four faces, making it visible to people approaching from different directions.
Over the decades, it has become a familiar meeting place for shoppers, friends and couples arranging to meet in Newcastle city centre.
The building is now Grade II listed, recognising its architectural and historical importance.
More than 130 years of Newcastle history
Northern Goldsmiths was established in 1892 and has remained closely associated with Newcastle's retail history ever since.
The business later became part of the wider Goldsmiths jewellery group and is now owned by the Watches of Switzerland Group.
Despite changes in ownership and the transformation of the luxury watch industry, the famous Blackett Street showroom has maintained its connection with Rolex.
In 2019, the company celebrated the 100th anniversary of its official relationship with the Swiss watchmaker.
The centenary was marked with a special event at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, attended by representatives of both companies.
The celebrations also included a commemorative collection of 100 specially engraved Rolex watches, with money from sales supporting The Prince's Trust.
It was another occasion when Newcastle's contribution to the brand's history received recognition.
Historic showroom given a new lease of life
The relationship continues today.
In July 2025, Northern Goldsmiths reopened its historic Newcastle showroom following a major refurbishment.
The transformation included a redesigned Rolex area, restored architectural features, luxury jewellery displays and additional customer facilities.
The Watches of Switzerland Group described the refurbishment as a new chapter for one of Britain's most historic jewellery destinations.
The famous golden clock was also restored, helping preserve one of Newcastle's best-loved city centre landmarks.
More than a century after the official Rolex partnership began, the original Northern Goldsmiths showroom remains at 1 Blackett Street, where customers can still purchase Rolex timepieces.
The business continues to operate as an official Rolex retailer and service centre, offering new and certified pre-owned watches alongside its jewellery collections.
A piece of Newcastle history worth remembering
Newcastle has given the world countless inventions, achievements and pioneering businesses, but its connection with one of the world's most prestigious watchmakers is a piece of local history that may surprise even lifelong residents.
From the golden clock that generations of Geordies have used as a meeting place to its historic role introducing Rolex to British customers, Northern Goldsmiths has a story that stretches far beyond the North East.
The next time you find yourself walking along Blackett Street, take a moment to look up at that famous golden clock.
You will be standing outside a shop that played an important role in British watchmaking history more than 100 years ago.
Did you know about Newcastle's connection with Rolex? Have you ever bought a watch or a piece of jewellery from Northern Goldsmiths, or do you have memories of meeting friends and family beneath its famous golden clock?
We would love to hear your stories.
Sources
- [Goldsmiths – History of Goldsmiths](https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/i/our-history)
- [Goldsmiths – Our Rolex history](https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/rolex/history)
- [Historic England – Northern Goldsmiths Grade II listing](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1072613)
- [Living North – Goldsmiths celebrate 100 years of Rolex](https://www.livingnorth.com/article/goldsmiths-celebrate-100-years-of-rolex)
- [The Watches of Switzerland Group – Northern Goldsmiths: An Icon Reborn](https://www.thewosgroupplc.com/news-media/northern-goldsmiths-an-icon-reborn-by-the-watches-of-switzerland-group/)
- [WatchPro – Northern Goldsmiths starts a new chapter in its historic story with Rolex](https://www.watchpro.com/northern-goldsmiths-starts-a-new-chapter-in-its-historic-story-with-rolex/)
