2,990 CHF
Morris Tobias, London, No. 1017, hallmarked 1813-14. Fine and rare silver pair-cased pocket watch beating dead-seconds, with rack lever escapement. Outer: two-body, polished. Inner, two-body, “bassine”, polished. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds. Gold “spade” hands. Notes The present watch is based on Peter Litherland's English patent, No. 1889, of December 6, 1792, for a form of pirouette lever escapement. The term pirouette comes from Huygens who was the first to use it. In a pirouette the balance makes several revolutions during a single impulse. This allows for a long period and consequently for dead-beat seconds. Morris Tobias is recorded in London and Liverpool, from circa 1794 to 1840. Morris Tobias & Co. are recorded from 1804; Tobias & Co; in Liverpool and Lond 1808-1825. Tobias patented a clock telling time by means of the “ship's bell strike” “sonnerie de bord”, of which an example was in the Ilbert collection patent No. 3584 in 1812. A chronometer of his making is in the Guildhall Museum.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-11-14
