MIke Carroll an IHC185 member who lives near me brought in some pictures of his John Curtis English Verge Movment watch inquiring if anybody could advise the age of the movement . . .

The movment is runing well, within about 20 minutes a day, and certainly in nice condition!

Mike found John Curtis listed on page 451 of the price guide as "c 1720, London". However the movment seems more like later 18th Century than 1720. Any comments?

Nifty Watch Paper too!

Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World 21st Cen Ed by Loomes lists two John Curtis' in London that might fall into the range of the watch;

1. Curtis, John William, London (Clerkenwell) b.c. 1789, Neath (Wales)c. 1821-51. later Bathurst (new South Wales, Australia) where died 1863

2. Curtis, John London 1784-6

While I am not to be mistaken as an expert, the absence of a face on the balance cock, the shape of the pillars and the ornaments between the plates says IMHO that it could be early 1700's. Many of the "accepted" criteria designs outlived the needs of many watches in those days. Each "artistic" watchmaker of the days had his eccentricities.

regards,
bb

Dave I agree with buster on this movement. He explained his points so well there is no sense in me adding any more other than I have seen quite a few,

I am even further off from being an expert but I think the movement looks early 1800's.

Are there any photographs of the marks inside the case, sometimes those help to date the movement since often times they were made specifically ofr the watch.

Tom

Here is another John Curtis London that from the case hallmarks dates to 1812.

Yes you are probably a lot closer than me Tom. Most of my research was from the guide [ which there is a lot of mis-information] on these early watches.

I am just hoping that through a presentation/discussion of facts we will be able to pin-point the maker and very close manufacturing date.

I find these early verge watches to be remarkable and early historical mileposts in the watchmaking industry. Any watch that runs on hardly nothing more than a "bicycle chain" for a train is astonishing to me

regards,
bb

My guess is only based on the ones I own and the dates for them. I think it could be late 1700's to early 1800's. If it hasn't been recased those marks might tell us something.

I have been searching the London census for a John Curtis but it would appear there were a hundred or so over the years. I will keep looking.

Tom