My grandfather's pocket watch has no markings on the movement other than "W.C" and a serial number: 54022. Can anyone give me a lead on who manufactured it and point me to some reference material?

Thanks -Bruce

Looks like a late-vintage fusee movement.

The balance cock suggests a mid-19th century ~1850's-1870's English finished movement. The case proof marks should date it more accurately and also possibly shed a some light on the manufacturer.

Your watch appears to have been fitted for a (now missing?) dust cover. Ref. pic below of another member's similar vintage Fusee.

Nice! Cool watch with a family history. That's awesome.

Thank you David and Ken for the helpful information! I checked the Hallmarks and it is from London and made in 1885. The case has the same serial number as the watch movement. I am so amazed how everything is hand made with this watch. It is like a work of art to me. The use of tiny pins instead of screws. What ingenuity. I am new to this hobby and find it so very fascinating. Again thanks so much for the info and Paul, thanks for the encouragement.
-Bruce

The pocket watch belonged to my grandfather Major Stephe Bonbright, who was the Commander of the 3rd Regiment Band of Des Moines Iowa. Here is a photo of him and his pocket watch chain is visible in front as is the outline to the pocket watch in his right pocket.

Good picture, the impression of that huge watchcase in his Pants pocket is obvious.

Ok, now I know why the watch isn't working. No chain for the fusee movement. I read that these chains were all hand made. What do you think of my chances of successfully replacing the chain?

Bruce, it is my guess the chain is still in there and came unhooked at one end. In any case chains can be found and (PROBABLY) installed to fix the watch.

You are looking at a nominal $300.00 or more to clean and restore it. So the question becomes what is it worth to bring this watch back operational?

David, thanks for the suggestion. I will look again inside the movement for the chain. It may be wrapped around the fusee and I mistook it for the gear teeth. I am enrolled in the TimeZone Watch School and currently learning how to disassemble, clean, and assemble the ETA-6497-1 & ETA 2801-2. When I my skills improve, I will try to restore my grandfather's pocket watch. It is in very decent condition, except for the chain and the dust cover. I will buy a non-working lever fusee on e-bay to practice with before tackling it. Again, thanks so much for the great information! -Bruce

Bruce,
Fusee timepieces are cool to look at, but not known for being great timekeepers, so as a carry watch you could do better (not to mention the risk, given the precious provenance for yours). I put my own grandather's pocket watch under a glass dome case instead of spending a significant sum to get it running. And it sits on top of my dresser.
My two cents.

K.

Ken, that is exactly where mine is headed. (glass dome on my dresser). I thought I'd see what restoration I could do without spending an arm and a leg in the process. This is such a great hobby. You get history, amazing engineering, and beauty in a machine that also provides the time of day.
-Bruce

Yessir. I agree!

Seconded