Our Story

Timeline

1861
1867
1876
Circa 1888
1896
1906
1917
1920s-1930s
1923
1930s
1940
1941
1957
1986
1989
2011
2020

Timeline

1861 - 1867

1876 - Circa 1888

1896 - 1906

1917 - 1920s-1930s

1923 - 1930s

1940 - 1941

1957

1986 - 1989

2011 - 2020

1861

Mr Harris Leon Brown came to England from Poland with an introduction to steel, saw and file manufacturer Alfred Beckett & Sons. He started by travelling around as a watch maker.

1867

H. L. Brown begins trading at 29 Gower Street in Sheffield as a watchmaker and jeweller.

1876

H. L. Brown, moves to 24 Angel Street and just a year later in 1877 connects Sheffield directly to Greenwich, with the introduction of the 1 o’ clock time signal. This is still a notable feature of Sheffield city centre to this day.

Circa 1888

H. L. Brown moves to 71 Market Place, Sheffield after previous moves from 29 Gower Street (1868) and 24 Angel Street (1876). This is the earliest known image of H. L. Brown’s store.

1896

H. L. Brown moves to 65 Market Place, Sheffield.

1906

First recorded mention of a branch at 92 Regent Street, London.

1917

H. L. Brown dies. His son, Bernard Brown succeeds him in running the business.

1920s-1930s

H. L. Brown stores open in Doncaster and Derby. Jewellery and watchmaking company, Bell Brothers of Doncaster is acquired and joins the H. L. Brown family businesses.

1923

Colonel Denis Brown, Bernard Brown’s only son, joins the business.

1930s

H. L. Brown continues to move with the times and the shop has a transformation.

1940

The Blitz. The shop in Sheffield was bombed and destroyed like many others in the area and the business moves to a new location at 70 Fargate, Sheffield.

1941

The new shop at 70 Fargate opens its doors to the public.

1957

Michael Frampton, Harris Brown’s great Grandson, joins the business as a Chartered Accountant and later serves as Managing Director from 1972.
Michael, who died in July 2020, had a distinguished career in the watch and jewellery industry. He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1997, serving on its Court for over three decades. This organisation is dedicated to furthering horological education and innovation.
In 1994/5 Michael served as High Sheriff of South Yorkshire.

1986

H. L. Brown moves to 2 Barker’s Pool, its current location.

1989

James Frampton, Michael Frampton’s son and Harris Brown’s great great Grandson, joins the firm after qualifying as a gemologist and training in the jewellery trade in Switzerland and London. James serves as Managing Director from 2001 onwards.

2011

H. L. Brown directors pictured together in 2011, the 150th anniversary year.

From the left, David Oswald (Company Secretary), Neville Woodhouse, James Frampton, Michael Frampton and Richard Pool (Director at the company’s Barbara Cattle store in York).

2020

The entire interior of the Barker’s Pool store and the window displays are upgraded. A fabulous Rolex Showroom is introduced. A greatly enhanced retail area is created for H. L. Brown jewellery, branded jewellery and watches.