Internet Horology Club 185
Identifying this Christie Pocket Watch

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June 09, 2008, 11:48
John F. Murray
Identifying this Christie Pocket Watch
Please Help me Identify the Approximate Year, type of movement, and any more details you can discern about this 18K gold R.L. Christie pocket watch made in Edinburgh, Scotland. In my Baillie book, there is listed a Gabriel Christie in 1736 in Edinburgh, so maybe R.L. is his relative. Thanks! You can see photos of this watch at:
Christie Pocket Watch
Thanks for your help!! Smile


John F. Murray
June 09, 2008, 13:57
Tom Brown
Not much help, but in the Loomes book there is a Christie, R. Slatherleigh (location unknown) c. 1800

Also, Christie, Robert L. Leith (Scotland) 1860

Tom
June 09, 2008, 22:46
John F. Murray
thanks Tom ... the 1860 one must be him! The watch looks like that era ... not 1800.


John F. Murray
June 30, 2008, 16:18
John Woolsey
John,

I would say Tom got it spot on with Robert L Leith, I can't find any other makers in any of my reference books.
The movement probably fits the date ok although I've found fusees were more common around that date.
Can't remember offhand when 'going barrels' really came into their own, but it's probably an early one.

Anyway, that's a very nice 'English Lever' watch you have there, which appears quite clean and relatively unmauled too.
As well as the jewelled train, the steel pallets under the lever will have jewel slips inserted into the pallet faces.
Looks like it's sporting a cut compensation balance with Breguet overcoil hairspring too.
Decent maker I'd say!

Nice to see a watch like that still with its original case too - far too many have got separated with the cases melted down for bullion!
Well cleaned, the dial hairlines sorted out and a new crystal, it'll look a treat!

Best regards

John