Posted 4 years ago
hotairfan
(388 items)
Lately, I have been admiring the postings of pocket watches on CW. I've always admired the workmanship of pocket watches. I have a few of my own, so I thought that maybe I'd add to the list of watch posters.
First, let me tell you that I am a true novice when it comes to watches of any sort. What I know of them, can only get me into trouble. I wish that I had the talent to work on them as I have seen watch makers do on you - tube. I can only learn what little that I can and admire their beauty.
The pocket watch that I have posted today is known as a "Fusee". This is because of the way the winding was constructed. The coiled spring drum is connected to a tapered cone drum via a very small chain, about 12 inches long. This chain wrapped around the cone drum starting at the small dia. of the cone, working up to the larger dia. of the cone. This is because there is more tension on the cone at the smaller end and as the spring tension lessens due to the spring unwinding. the chain climbs up the coil to the larger diameter where it doesn't have to work so hard, thus, maintaining the same speed as the winding pressure diminished.
This key wind watch is from (to the best of my knowledge) the early 1800's. The escapement points to this era because it has a "Verge" escapement mechanism somewhat dates it (verge escapement were used from 1600's to 1820's)
No name can be found externally, but, it looks very similar to a Joseph Baker style of work. It shows Birmingham, England Hallmarks on the Stirling Silver case. Interestingly it has a bulls eye lens which may be noted in the first pic.
The outer case measures 55mm. in diameter and the inner case measures 50 mm.
It runs great and loses only five minutes in a day(a feat for a watch as early as this).
Picture #2 shows the beautiful engraving on the escapement spring guard, In picture #3, I tried to show the tiny chain wrapping around the tapered drum , In picture #4, I try to photograph the "Verge" escapement(hard to see)
I have some R.R. regulated pocket watches, I'll post one of them later if this post shows interest.
Beautiful mechanism!