July 12, 2009, 16:36
David AbbeA beautiful Rotherhams Batty ID'd thanks to IHC185
No Kidding, This beautiful 17 size double-signed "W Batty and Sons Manchester (& Liverpool on Mvt)" turned up in my mail from eBay because there were no other bidders. Preliminary inspection suggests it could be a "find".
July 12, 2009, 16:40
David AbbeSome more details of the watch seem to indicate that the case is 1896 London assay (lower case "a") silver (lion).
July 12, 2009, 16:44
David AbbeThis perfectly clean running movement keeps good time and is finished with 19 Jewels, suggesting that it is intended as a high end watch. The jeweling is exactly as most of our US-made 21 Jewel movements excepting the main wheel of the Batty has no jewels leaving a 19 count.
July 12, 2009, 16:47
David AbbeNow comes part of what is driving me "batty" . . . this has a very special laminated Pallet Jeweled pointed tooth lever escapement!

. It must be English-made!
July 12, 2009, 16:48
Tom BrownWatchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Brian Loomes 21st cen edition
BATTY, W. & Sons (Ltd) Manchester (Lancs) & Liverpool (Lancs) 1901- early 20c. Sometimes also Paris on imported clocks
Tom
July 12, 2009, 16:48
David AbbeSo this is the Hallmark under the dial. Who is this "Batty maker"?
July 12, 2009, 17:07
Gerald ZimmermannDavid
Hallmarks:
silver; Birmingham assay; 1900
Very nice watch ; I will work on the maker
Gerald
July 12, 2009, 17:23
David AbbeTom, You got me "bookin it", I found this 19 Jewel Dent in Alan Shenton's "Pocket watches [of the] 19th and 20th Century". I did som B&W of mine and it sure looks like a "Dented Batty"!
July 12, 2009, 17:23
Gerald ZimmermannMakers mark : snail on trident in star = Rotherhams & son Ltd London + Coventry
Battyness better ?
Regards,
Gerald
July 12, 2009, 17:36
David AbbeA closer comparison. shows this is exactly the same plate arrangement! I have a Dented Batty!
July 12, 2009, 17:44
David AbbeThis Is a Rotherhams Movement which is confirmed by what Shenton speculated about the Dent he pictured in the above page. So we "have a match"! Thank you all very much. Now I gotta write up a new ID Tag. What a beautiful piece of work! Laminated Pallet Jewels, all I can say is; "Holy Moly whatta a lotta work that must have been" for Mr. IKE!

BTW the Pallet Fork Jeweling was explained to me very carefully by Chris Abell, and when I asked him if he repaired these (pallets) there was a lo-o-o-ong pause.

July 12, 2009, 17:49
Gerald ZimmermannDavid
In the book is a Dented Rotherhams (suggested but not prooved).
You have a Battyed Rotherhams prooved by the mark !
Great find !
Regards,
Gerald
July 12, 2009, 17:58
David AbbeThank you all for helping point me there!