This silver pocket watch was made by Lawrence Nelson of Riley Street, Coventry, in 1832. It was made for Thomas Trickett, who was a Coventry ribbon weaver. In 1811 Thomas Trickett had married Sarah Nelson, so we presume that the watch was made by a relative of Sarah.

In the 1830s ribbon weaving was the main industry in Coventry. Around a half of the population of the city made a living from ribbon weaving. At the same time watchmaking was growing in importance and would later overtake ribbon weaving as the biggest employer in the city.

The Herbert has fine collections relating to both these industries.