Posted 7 years ago
pw-collector
(297 items)
I normally do not collect European pocket watches, but these two are in my collection.
Both are English Fusee Pocket Watches.
Fusee is a conical spirally grooved pulley in a timepiece, driven by a thin chain, which unwinds onto a cylinder containing the mainspring and which by its increasing diameter compensates for the lessening power of the spring (an explanation borrowed from one of my books).
Neither watch has a makers name or mark that I can find.
Both watches are wound with a watch key and set with a key.
Both watch movements are in a coin silver case and have silver dials.
The age of the watches are unknown. From what I have read, the first fusee watch was introduced around 1525 and were common through the mid to late 1800's.
Thanks for taking the time to view my post,
Dave
Very Very Nice ,,,...
Thanks for the appreciation:
JDguy
AdeleC
Beautiful and very interesting - Thanks for posting them. :-)
I have wondered why some pocket watches were called "fusees". Still wondering. Do you have an Eng. explanation ? LOL !!
Nice ones Dave! You certainly do have one really incredible collection.
Thanks for the comments & appreciation:
MALKEY
SpiritBear
Caperkid
vetraio50
MountainGiri
truthordare
leighannrn
BB2 (maybe I can post a diagram)
buckethead
fortapache
TassieDevil
jscott0363
officialfuel
BB2, diagram added of the fusee system. This diagram shows a "catgut line" where these pocket watches use a very thin chain. A fusee is smaller at the top for a full mainspring. When the chain is at the bottom, the mainspring is almost spent, and the fusee has more leverage.
When the mainspring is fully wound, it also pulls the hardest. At that time the chain is at the small end of the fusee. As the spring grows weaker, the chain descends to the larger part of the fusee. In shifting the tension, it equalizes the power.
Best english explanation I can find & offer.
Dave
These are lovely..:-)
Thanks for the appreciation:
mickeysmagic
inky
Caperkid
Thanks for the diagram. Actually very ingenious. In my historical/hysterical research, I often run into things that we normally don't think were developed way back when.
Thanks for the appreciation:
Johnsmith
mikelv85
Thanks lzenglish for the appreciation.
Thanks for the appreciation:
mickeysmagic
TimeTraveller
Thanks kyratango for the appreciation.
Thanks Brunswick for the appreciation.
Thanks purvis for the appreciation.
Excellent time pieces, worth holding onto. Neil
Thanks Collectables59 for the comment.
Hello! I know there is an extremely low chance that you will see this comment as this is 3 years after the creation of this post, but as I figure it is worth a shot to try regardless. I am currently writing a paper on the topic of the inner workings of H4, was looking for a good diagram showing how a fusee and mainspring can connect to a verge escapement. The diagram you included with your post would be a perfect addition, I would greatly appreciate if you would be willing to divulge the name of the book so I can properly credit the image. It would be even better if it was possible (but not necessary) for you to post an image more straight-on and clear. Thank you!
mrplatypus,
The diagram is found on page 83 of the Complete Price Guide To Watches. NO.26 year 2006 by Richard Gilbert, Tom Engle & Cooksey Shugart.