G MORTON, London. No 1543
Rare helically sprung PATENT CHRONOMETER movement by this most interesting maker, circa 1865.
£125.00
Half-plate fusee movement jewelled to the 3rd with cap jewels on balance (diamond), lever and escape, the 16-size hollow-back Lancashire frame stamped J on the movement knuckle. Now(?) with single-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, helical balance-spring. Enamel dial signed PATENT CHRONOMETER. 45 mm diameter, 8.5 mm deep, not including centre arbor.
George Morton, then working from 31 Hanover Street, Islington, north London, previously the Keighley based watchmaker who took out a Patent for a Robin-type escapement in 1856 – see my Horological Profile No 1 on these watches. The change in name from Morton’s Patent to London Patent occurred in his main series of watches when Morton moved to London around 1860. This ties in well with this small but separate series of free-sprung detached lever escapement watches with helical balance-springs.
Ex Zimmermann collection. Dial chipped, lacking hands and signs of a change to the banking, the present lever presumably being later: the word PATENTEE on the top plate would seem to indicate that it stated life with his Robin-type escapement? If so, I have not seen this version before. Not working due to a broken staff pivot and priced accordingly.
Item available
Description
Half-plate fusee movement jewelled to the 3rd with cap jewels on balance (diamond), lever and escape, the 16-size hollow-back Lancashire frame stamped J on the movement knuckle. Now(?) with single-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, helical balance-spring. Enamel dial signed PATENT CHRONOMETER. 45 mm diameter, 8.5 mm deep, not including centre arbor.
George Morton, then working from 31 Hanover Street, Islington, north London, previously the Keighley based watchmaker who took out a Patent for a Robin-type escapement in 1856 – see my Horological Profile No 1 on these watches. The change in name from Morton’s Patent to London Patent occurred in his main series of watches when Morton moved to London around 1860. This ties in well with this small but separate series of free-sprung detached lever escapement watches with helical balance-springs.
Ex Zimmermann collection. Dial chipped, lacking hands and signs of a change to the banking, the present lever presumably being later: the word PATENTEE on the top plate would seem to indicate that it stated life with his Robin-type escapement? If so, I have not seen this version before. Not working due to a broken staff pivot and priced accordingly.