2,415 CHF
M. I. Tobias & Co., Liverpool, No. 6171,with Chester hallmarks for 1821-23.Fine 18K gold watch with a Massey lever escapement. Four-body marked “T.H/J.H” with integral dome, the band, pendant and bow with cast shellfish decoration, back engine-turned (rubbed). Matt gold with raised Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds, the centre engraved with a floral decoration. Blued steel “serpent” hands. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, Liverpool jewelling, fusee with chain and maintaining power, Massey lever escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring with unusual bimetallic compesation curb on the index, gilt brass balance cock with intricately engraved decoration, “Patent” and “Detach’d”, diamond endstone. Gilt brass dust-cap.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 54 mm. Notes The inscription “Patent” and “Detach’d” on the balance cock, refers to the invention of the detached form of lever escapement patented by Edward Massey in 1815. Good example of a watch fitted with this escapement which paved the way for the development of the single-roller lever escapement in the early 1820’s.Massey Edward (1772-1852), son of Edward Massey, was a Coventry maker. He invented, patented and manufactured various mechanical logs and sounding machines, which were used by mariners throughout the world during most of the 19th century. A comparable achievement was his invention and production of a series of detached lever escapements for watches and a means of wind
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2000-04-02
