In the tiny hamlet of Le Solliat near Le Sentier, Switzerland, two watchmakers, Adolphe Nicole (1812–1876) and Jules Philippe Capt (1813–circa 1881), came together to form Nicole & Capt in 1837. The early years were marked by innovation and progress. In 1839, they relocated to London and set up business at 80B Dean Street, Soho. According to the 1841 Census, five watchmakers were residing at this address. These included Adolphe Nicole, Henry Nicole and Jules Capt. According to Antiquarian Horology, Adolphe Nicole had registered a patent (No. 10,348) for a type of keyless work in 1844. revolutionising watch mechanisms and introducing chronograph functions.
The company’s reputation continued to grow, as evidenced by its participation in prestigious exhibitions. In 1851, Edward John Dent promoted Nicole & Capt’s keyless work and repeaters at the London Great Exhibition (1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: E. J. Dent at Graces Guide). Four years later, at the Paris Exhibition, they exhibited under their own name for the first time, solidifying their place among the watchmaking elite. In 1858, Nicole & Capt relocated to larger premises in 14 Soho Square, London.
Further advancements followed, with Nicole & Capt’s patents for stopwatches and timekeepers in 1862, introducing improvements to castle wheels and their first chronograph. The company’s dedication to innovation attracted talented individuals, including Sophus Emil Nielsen, a Danish citizen who joined the company in 1869 (Nicole Nielsen & Co. at Vintage Watchstraps).
Nicole, Nielsen & Co
The subsequent years witnessed a series of notable transitions. In 1876, Jules Capt died, and his place as partner was filled by the Danish-born watchmaker Sophus Emil Nielsen. The company became officially known as Nicole, Nielsen & Co. in 1879. At this point in time, the company was being managed by Charles Nicole, Sophus Emil Nielsen, and Zelia Nicole (daughter of Adolphe). That partnership ended in 1884, with Sophus Emil Nielsen and his wife, Harriet Victoire (daughter of Adolphe), continuing the business. In 1888, Sophus Emil Nielsen sold a majority share of the business to Robert Benson North, but remained as Managing Director. The business was converted into a limited liability company under the title Nicole, Nielsen & Co Ltd.
By the late 19th century, Nicole, Nielsen & Co. were making watches for many retailers such as Frodsham, Dent, and Smith & Son. They were known for making high-quality watches, clocks, and chronometers. However, their commitment to excellence remained unwavering. They introduced a new keyless system in 1884 and began manufacturing speedometers in 1904, a venture that proved immensely successful (Nicole, Nielsen & Co. speedometer at Bonhams). Sophus Emil Nielsen died in 1899, and Robert Benson North, as the majority shareholder, took control of the company. In 1904, Nielsen & Co. Ltd was supplying Smiths Instruments with speedometers for the expanding automobile industry. This side of the business proved to be lucrative, and Nielsen & Co. Ltd had to relocate to a larger factory in Watford in 1907 (The history of Smiths Instruments at Total Kit Car).
World War I brought both challenges and opportunities. The company played a crucial role in supporting the war effort, becoming a major supplier to the government. In 1917, the company underwent another transformation after being acquired by North & Sons Ltd (formerly, Robert North & Sons). The name was changed as the War Department believed it sounded too “German”.Despite the changing landscape, the company continued to produce exquisite gold watches to the highest standards in Soho Square. However, the aftermath of the war and the economic crash of 1929 took their toll. Robert Benson North, the company’s manager and director, passed away during this challenging period. Ultimately, in 1933, North & Sons faced financial difficulties and went into receivership.
Note
This was a difficult post to write as the history of Nicole, Nielsen & Co. is not well documented. Apart from the external sources referenced on this page, a lot of the material was unsourced. This was largely from online watch forums. Generally, if these unsourced “facts” were consistent across multiple forums, it was assumed to be accurate. Apologies for any inaccuracies. We are happy to update, where our research has been proven wrong. Additionally, some sources have spelt the name “Nielson”. We believe this to be in error.
Thanks to Pierantonio (Tony) Maragna, author of Nicole, Nielsen Watchmakers, for his valuable contributions. Request a copy from nicolenielsenandco@hotmail.com
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Nicole, Nielsen & Co at The British Museum.
Nicole, Nielsen & Co. at Christie’s.