SUMMARY:
A very rare solid silver English, early 19th century highly engraved chain driven fusee Lever pocket watch, with a Massey III escapement made in Liverpool. The watch is a substantial size and in a good quality heavy silver consular case.
The watch is in full working order, just cleaned and overhauled 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. 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.
THE DIAL: 100%, the off-white colored enamel dial with fine black slender Roman numerals, and a separate minute track to outside of dial with no chips or hairlines, and a very large inset subsidary seconds dial. With gold hour and minute hands and large subsidary seconds dial. The original glass in very fine condition. Diameter is 45 mm.
THE MOVEMENT: 100% mint, with richly gilded full plate in wonderful condition. The balance cock and foot in superb condition and of a simple pattern, but beautifully engraved and with a large diamond end-stone to the centre of the shiny steel three arm balance wheel. The back cock, further signed, Patent and lever. The back plate with further decoration and a steel Bosley regulator. The watch is keywind, and movement size is 40 mm diameter. The escapement with a very good and strong action and jewelled to this wheel.
The movement unsigned but a typical Liverpool ebauche and number 4164. Pierced gilded fusee stop work with iron hinge. The watch with fusee chain on tight to barrel and fusee cone and a good free swinging balance and the watch runs the full length of the fusee chain, keeping good time. The watch comes with a winding key for hands set and winding. The movement comes with its original gilt dust cuvette which locks on tightly to the movement. The movement with original gilt dust cover which closes tight onto the movement.
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.
Edward Massey (born in 1772) and settled in London at 28 King Street, Clerkenwell. He invented the Massey lever escapement and this was patented on November 6th 1814. He went on to develop and improve his escapement with the Massey No 1, 2, 3, and 5. The Massey lever was preferred to the Rack lever at this time and used extensively by the better quality Liverpool watch-makers. There are also subtle variations, some with limited draw and also those with different profiles to the pallet shape. (See Britten, Bailey, Loomes etc and most importantly the key document by Alan Treherne who classified these escapements into the series 1-5).
In terms of rarity, the Massey 3 is the most common of these escapements; next up in the uncommon category is the Massey 2; followed by the rare Massey 1, and then the very rare Massey 5 escapement. The Massey 4 is an exceptionally rare watch and it is unlikely you will ever see one. The watch is much brighter and crisp than in these dark photos, which are limited by my camera and lighting equipment. The watch is in very good working order for its age.
THE CASE: 96% mint, the solid silver drum type case measures an impressive 52 mm outside diameter. The hinged covers all closing tightly, and in fine order. The three knuckle hinge in good order. The cases with Chester hall-marks, case maker marks and sterling silver marks . The case maker mark of "GR" and number of 4164. The pendant and very well made bow, in superb condition. The case with no pin-holes or stretch marks, to the case, but some wear to rear cover as expected. The inner dust cuvette also in very clean and good order and finely engraved border to winding hole.
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 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:
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:
We expect all auctions to be fully paid for within 3 days of the auction ending