The business was founded by Thomas Cooke as the Northern Goldsmiths Company in Blackett Street in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1892.

[1][2][3] After selling marine chronometers to the Admiralty during the First World War,[4] the company became the UK’s first appointed stockist of Rolex watches in 1919.

[8] A management buy out led by Jurek Piasecki took place in 1988 backed by Schroder Ventures.

[11] In December 2006, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland were acquired, which were also owned by the Baugur Group.

In 2013, Goldsmiths was acquired by an investment fund affiliated with Apollo Global Management.