Duckworth Prestex may sound like a new name, but it goes back a very long way in the history of watchmaking. Almost 100 years, in fact.
For Neil Duckworth, the founder of Duckworth Prestex and the man who originally brought TAG Heuer to the UK in the 1980s, it’s a very personal story.
Founding of Prestons and launch of Prestex watches
Neil’s family firm, Prestons, was originally founded in 1869 in Bolton. By the 1920s it was making its own pocket watches under the Prestex name. These enjoyed tremendous success all over the world. Over the next few decades, Prestex produced a variety of timepieces including chronographs, pocket watches and some stunning dress watches.
Expansion into Swiss brands
When Neil’s father, Gordon Duckworth, took over the business in 1948 it grew and diversified, selling Swiss watches such as Omega, Rolex and Heuer. The home-grown Prestex range – where it all started – was quietly discontinued. Neil’s older brother Andrew took charge of the business in 1982 which continued to thrive. Neil decided on a different path…into the world of watches.
A long held dream becomes a reality
After a long career in the watch industry, Neil’s dream is finally realised: the relaunch of the original family watch brand.
These new watches are designed in England and inspired by the original models of Prestex watches that came before them.
