Fusee watches were among my first fascinations in watches. I love the ingenuity behind the fusee mechanism itself and am always anxious to look between the plates and maybe find an interesting earlier form of escapement. I also always enjoy the engraving on the back of the movements. My personal favorites are movements from the Liverpool area. They often have the classic "Liverpool windows" and many have a deeper engraving than movements from other areas. This example has a Massey type III lever escapement. [It is not the same John Harrison of "Longitude" fame]. Whenever you see "Patent" or "Detach'd" on the foot of the balance cock that is a clue to look for an early form of lever escapement.
Posts: 1455 | Location: Los Angeles, California USA | Registered: January 14, 2003
Here is a view of the front of my verge, surrounded by a group of five watchpapers that were in the back of the outer case. Notations on the back of the papers document regular servicing of this watch at a watchmaker in Alloa, Scotland, over a time period from 1890 to 1907. The repairs were for a Mr. A. Mitchell.
Posts: 1455 | Location: Los Angeles, California USA | Registered: January 14, 2003
I have a few watches from the Federal Period that were sold by American jewelers. They are described at Early American Watches. The Effingham Embree has a particularly interesting dial.
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This other verge is a bit later but has a famous name on it. It is the son, not the father.
Posts: 633 | Location: Boston, Massachusetts USA | Registered: November 25, 2002
Well Stephen I couldn't resist your challenge. Here's some pictures of a Silver Pair Case Verge Fusee I have with a Railway Timekeeper dial
The watch is English, made by an I. Nesbitt. Both the movement and the case bear his name. The watch is hallmarked London 1811. Guess what, the railways only started to get going in England around 1804/
Who knows, this possibly may be the oldest Railway/Railroad Watch ever posted on the IHC site.
NOTE:- On further research into the dates when railways actually had passengers in England, it appears to be around the 1820's. Therefore I believe the Railway Timekeeper markings on the dial, or for that matter the complete dial may have been added sometime after 1811. I'd like to hear what the IHC railroad pocket watch experts have to say about the early horoligical history of railways/railroads and how this particular watch fits the time period.
Figure I
Dave Freeman IHC Member 321
Posts: 976 | Location: Texas in the U.S.A. | Registered: January 27, 2004
The Skeleton watch is in a display back sterling case. Only one I have ever seen like it. Hallmarked 1774 to go with the dating of the movement..I will get a picture later. It seems the railroad has entered in this thread, so here is a bit of and oddity, not a verge but an 1840's lever..
Posts: 638 | Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin USA | Registered: November 22, 2002
The railway dial watch...I can see the balance shaft jewel,does it have more? I wonder if the dial is a little later.. an add on of a proud owner in the 1840's?
John..
Where did you pick up that "railway special"?
Posts: 849 | Location: Victoria, British Columbia Canada | Registered: December 05, 2003
The "Railway Special" came form a dealer in, I think, Ohio. It was a long time ago and was bought from a "List". That was pre ebay...No Pictures, just sent on "Approval" and if you did not like it send it back for a refund...What A novel idea!!!!!! runs great but not to the 5 seconds a week thing..Did you ever notice that there are not too many English fusee's from the late 1830's to the mid 1840's???
John Pavlik
Posts: 638 | Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin USA | Registered: November 22, 2002
Stephen, here's another nice solid silver pair case verge fusee which I own. This one is in near mint condition. It's a Scottish ( ) watch from the early 1800's and made by a man called John Sellar from the small town of Elgin on the east coast of Scotland. As you can see the workmanship is trully magnificent.
Enjoy !!
Figure I
Dave Freeman IHC Member 321
Posts: 976 | Location: Texas in the U.S.A. | Registered: January 27, 2004
)
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) watch from the early 1800's and made by a man called John Sellar from the small town of Elgin on the east coast of Scotland. As you can see the workmanship is trully magnificent.
