PJ Watson at 60: A Diamond Anniversary for a British Jewellery Manufacturing Name

In an industry built around life’s milestones, anniversaries carry a particular meaning. They mark not only time passed, but the relationships, expertise and craft that allow a jewellery business to endure.

This September, PJ Watson celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Founded in 1966 by Peter Watson, the company began with a small workshop at 67 Hatton Garden. Six decades later, it remains a respected name in fine gem and diamond-set jewellery, now led by the third generation of the Watson family.

Its story is one of changing markets, international ambition and a consistent belief in the value of gemmological knowledge.

A Hatton Garden beginning

Peter Watson entered the jewellery trade through his mother, a gemmologist already working within the industry. His early experience selling diamonds for an Antwerp-based company gave him an understanding of the international trade before he established PJ Watson at the age of 40.

The business developed a reputation for fine jewellery set with diamonds and coloured gemstones, at a time when the gold price was just $41 an ounce. The market, the price of raw materials and the way jewellery is bought have all changed dramatically since then, but the foundations of quality, product knowledge and trusted relationships remain recognisable.

Peter’s sons Vivian and Philip joined the business in the late 1960s, both also qualifying as gemmologists. Their involvement established the family-led character that continues today.

PJ Watson’s fine gemstone rings showcase the rich colour, craftsmanship and gemmological expertise behind the company’s work

Taking British jewellery to the world

PJ Watson’s growth was not limited to Hatton Garden. The company exhibited at major UK trade fairs, including Earls Court, Olympia, the NEC and Goldsmiths’ Hall, while also travelling internationally to fairs in Basel, Tokyo and Taipei.

According to the company, its work brought it into close contact with De Beers on marketing campaigns, as well as securing recognition through a number of trade awards and editorial features.

Following Peter Watson’s retirement in the mid-1980s, Vivian Watson led a new chapter of international development. He made early visits to Hong Kong to explore more cost-effective sourcing and established regular sales trips to Japan. PJ Watson was also selected by two Bond Street retailers to support the development of their brands in Tokyo and Osaka.

It is a reminder that the international outlook of British jewellery businesses is not new. Long before digital wholesale platforms and global social media, relationships were built through travel, trade fairs and personal connections.

PJ Watson showcasing fine gemstone jewellery at The Jewellery Show London, connecting its craftsmanship with trade customers and retailers

Colour, craftsmanship and confidence

One thread runs through PJ Watson’s 60-year history: coloured gemstones.

The anniversary campaign nods to the company’s position as the first manufacturer of the rainbow ring, represented through a spectrum of fancy-coloured sapphires. It is a fitting image for a business whose work has been shaped by colour, gemmology and a willingness to look beyond the expected.

The company’s relationship with Canadian diamonds was also established following a visit to the Northwest Territories in 2001, bringing the stones to the UK market. Alongside its own fine jewellery, PJ Watson has represented notable international names, acting as UK agent for Signoretti, Chimento and Marco Bicego at different points in its history.

Since 1995, it has held the exclusive UK agency for Picchiotti.

PJ Watson celebrates 60 years of fine jewellery, represented through a vibrant spectrum of sapphire and gemstone rings

A third generation continues the story

After almost 40 years in Hatton Garden, PJ Watson relocated to Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, where it remains based today.

Vivian Watson retired in 2017 after 50 years with the business, with his son John succeeding him. John Watson became an FGA in 2006 and achieved a distinction in his DGA the following year. He continues the family’s gemmological tradition, travelling to the Far East to source coloured stones for one-of-a-kind creations.

In a rapidly evolving industry, this continuity is significant. Family businesses bring a long view. They understand that reputation is built over decades, that product knowledge cannot be rushed and that the relationship between retailer, supplier and customer still matters.

John Watson, continuing PJ Watson’s family legacy of gemmological expertise and fine jewellery craftsmanship

The Jewels Club Take

PJ Watson’s 60th anniversary is a celebration of much more than longevity.

It reflects the resilience of British jewellery manufacturing, the enduring importance of gemmology and the strength of a business that has evolved while retaining its point of view. From Hatton Garden to the international stage, the company’s story shows how deep expertise and family continuity can remain relevant across generations.

Here’s to the next chapter.

Discover more

Discover PJ Watson’s fine jewellery and coloured gemstone expertise at pjwatson.co.uk

PJ WATSON looks after the exclusive interests of Picchiotti in the UK, Ireland and other selected parts of the world