SUMMARY:
A very rare early 19th century solid 18k gold English chain fusee pocket watch with a rare slow beat (half-seconds) lever escapement by Thomas Yates of Preston. The movement ticking away very strongly and keeps good time, and just cleaned and overhauled by my watch-maker. The watch made by the important watch maker, Thomas Yates of Friargate, Preston and a 1/2 seconds (11,200 bph) beating fusee lever with additional stamps from Samuel Quilliam of Liverpool to both the case and movement top plate (instead of the more usual 14,400 bph, 4 x 60 x60). See "The Fusee Lever Watch" by Dr. Robert Kemp, pages 63 - 69, for further information and also Antiquarian Horlogy, 1984, Dec. 1984 and references therein.
There is an English Patent No of 11443 for this slow beat lever by Thomas Yates of Preston. This type of escapement was devised by Thomas Yates and patented in November 1846; patent no. 11443. Yates idea at the time was that by increasing the nominal weight of the balance wheel, and at the same changing the train wheel count, it would work in a more efficent manner. However, much has been said of the ability of this escapement to over-bank, suffer adversely from knocks or shocks and come to an abrupt stop. This is no doubt a factor of the delicate nature of the set-up and the finisher of the movement. Many are inferior, but those that came through the Quilliam works-shop, show great attention to detail in terms of finish and polish to pinions, pivots, wheels and jewels. This watch is a rare example of a Quilliam finished watch as shown in detail in this listing. Yates slow beat watches in full working order are now becoming increasingly rare and this escapement when correctly set up is a joy to watch and use in the pocket.This is a beautifully made English key-wound man's pocket watch, dating from ca. 1872, from the Victorian period.
The watch is clearly marked and the watch is in its original period case. The watch is in full working order and comes complete with a presentation box. The buy it now price is a clear reflection of the rarity, stunning condition and long-term investment for this watch. Mint watches in this condition, can only rise in value, given the limited supply of such items. We are a Platinium eBay Power-Seller, so please bid with confidence, we give our email and contact telephone number below, so do feel free to contact us to discuss any watches we have available. You can also visit our Website at vintagewatchstore where there is a wide variety of fine antique & vintages watches.
THIS WATCH AND 120 OTHER RARE POCKET WATCHES
WERE STOLEN IN A ROBBERY ON SATURDAY EVENING
11th APRIL 2015
FROM OUR SHOP IN HAMPSTEAD
THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THEIR RECOVERY
Please note that our shop is now open:
Vintage Watch Store
12 Heath Street
Hampstead
London, NW3 6TE
Mon - Fri 10.30 - 5.30
Sunday by appointment
Tel: 0759 830 1277
THE DIAL: 95%, the cream colored dial with fine black Arabic numerals, with a few very faint hairlines as shown. The dial with blued steel spade hands and large subsidary seconds dial. Diameter is 47 mm. The dial with the inscription, "Thomas Yates, Friargate, Preston". The watch with a clean original glass.
THE MOVEMENT: 100% mint, with superb gilding and a full plate and key set. A silvered steel regulator, and ruby endstone setting, and blued steel screws. The movement jewelled to the balance staff and escape wheel, with a gold jewel setting, held in place by two small screws. The watch with a shiny steel escape wheel and finely engraved balance cock, stamped "Patent". The watch is key-wind and comes with a key, winding through the back and sually hand-set through the front. The movement size is 37 mm diameter. The movement clearly signed, Thomas Yates of Preston, No 5849 and the balance marked "patent", and with the characterstic slow grand-father clock tick typical of his work. The top plate stamped "Q" and 19100, no doubt for Samuel Qulliam of Preston who made a number of these movements for Yates. For further information, see "The Fusee Lever Watch" by Dr. Robert Kemp, pages 63 - 69.
The watch runs the full length of the fusee chain and comes with a winding key, with the movement wound anti-clock-wise through the back cover and the hands set via the centre square when the front bezel is open; The watch is key-wound, and set through the back and comes with a key. The movement overhaul in superb order showing very little wear and excellent gilding to the plates and dust cover. Do note the very nice condition of the blued movement case spring and screws, all signs of quality and a sheltered life. The watch is much brighter and crisp than in these dark photos, which are limited by my camera and lighting equiment. The watch is in very good working order for its age.
THE CASE: 100% mint, the solid 18k gold case measures 53 mm outside diameter. The solid 9k gold hinges are excellent with the case closing tightly, and the bow is original to the case. This is a double-bottomed case and the movement swings out from the front. The watch with Chester hall marks and gold stamps and case number of 19100. The top pendant and bow also in fine condition, and with an engraved cartouche to the case back. The case inside cover stamped by the case maker or sponsor "CJ". This is a high quality and rare English slow beat pocket watch, a work of art in its own right and of jewel like quality. This is a high quality and rare English slow beat pocket watch, a work of art in its own right and of jewel like quality.
The watch has clearly been highly valued and well looked after. The watch case has not been buffed up or over-polished as seems to be the case so often with early watches offered on eBay. This is a very fine period Victorian solid silver pocket watch in simply stunning condition, which is a very rare collectable item or a possible investment for the future or of course a fine gift for a birthday, anniversary, wedding etc.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:Please note, the magnified electronic images show detail much greater than would be visible with the naked eye. Any dark areas or marks on highly polished surfaces are almost certainly reflections from the camera or lighting equipment. If there are any marks or dents of any note, these will be mentioned in the description. All of our watches have been fully cleaned and serviced by a professional watch-maker unless not stated on the auction and the time-keeping carefully checked. We are happy to give a 3 month warranty on this work, which is thoroughly checked, and all watches are also given a 24 hour check prior to being shipped. We are here to help and ensure that our good eBay reputation is enhanced and this eBay shop becomes one of your favourite places to purchase watches.
GUARANTEE & RETURN POLICY:
If any item received is not as described, please email us and return it, and we will repair it and return it to you free of charge. The only exception to this, is if the watch has been misused or damaged. Please note that we do not accept 3rd part watch makers repairs or invoices. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with any watch you have purchased, please do not hesitate to contact us and every effort will be made to ensure that any problems are resolved to your satisfaction. If there has been an error or the item is not as described then we will offer a full refund, provided that the item is returned to me, undamaged and in the condition that it was sent out. We offer a 7-day non-quibble policy on any item as stated on all of our eBay auctions.
PAYMENT:
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POSTAGE:
Shipping costs are £12.50 Data Post, with insurance up to a maximum of £500. Time for delivery is generally 3-5 working days. Items will be despatched the next working day after funds are received and tracking number details and date of dispatch will be provided.
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