P.ORR & SONS

General information

India in early 19th century was seen as the land of opportunity. Among the many entrepreneurs who applied to the East India Company for a license to trade here were two brothers from Scotland … Peter Orr born in 1803, and Alexander Orr born in 1804. Peter was a watch and chronometer maker, while Alexander was a lawyer in Edinburgh. The brothers arrived in Madras in Feb 1843.

They went into immediate partnership with Gordon and Co., in Broadway. The Gordons were also a Scottish family and it is possible that there were connections back in Scotland. The Gordons had been trading in Madras since 1792, (thus creating a tradition of watch making which has now lasted for more than 200 years!). When Mr.Gordon retired the partnership was dissolved. The business now carried on under Peter’s name.
In 1849 the firm P.Orr and Co., was born and was located on a new site at 6-8, Mount Road, now Anna Salai.

P.ORR & SONS is one of the leading multi brand retail outlets in Tamil Nadu dealing in wrist watches (Indian and International), Alarm Time Pieces, Wall Clocks, Time Recorders, Grand Father Clocks, Tower Clocks and many other items connected with Horology for more than 160 years.The P. Orr & Sons building on Anna Salai, a landmark in the city, is built in Byzantine style of architecture.P. Orr & Sons occupied this building way back in 1873.