Josh JOHNSON, Liverpool. No 1349
Lovely Massey ‘PATENT’ movement with type-1 roller, circa 1818, from the Alan Treherne collection.
£125.00
Well finished fullplate going-fusee movement with 4-wheel train, the cap stamped PB (incuse), one of many cap makers still to be identified. Massey detached lever escapement with type-1 steel roller. Steel balance, spiral balance-spring. One-piece cream enamel dial, later hands. 47 mm diameter, 14 mm deep, not including centre arbor.
Joseph Johnson, 49 Church Street, one of many Liverpool firms with a well deserved reputation for their watches sold in the North American market, although this was no doubt damaged by the number of Swiss fakes also bearing their name.
Alan Treherne designated the various Massey escapements numbers in the order he identified them. They are not an indication of which came first. Over the years it has become clear that the steel roller, type-1, was the earliest to be used, apart that is, from the very first form shown in his 1812 Patent application. At some point around 1820 Massey started to offer jewelled rollers, the type-5 being the earliest. This was followed by the type-2 roller, which itself was soon followed by type-3, the most common.
Lacking hands and the balance-brake. Otherwise a fine example of this now uncommon form of Massey escapement, as well as being an early production of the Johnson firm. Not cleaned by me, but ticking happily when wound.
Item available
Description
Well finished fullplate going-fusee movement with 4-wheel train, the cap stamped PB (incuse), one of many cap makers still to be identified. Massey detached lever escapement with type-1 steel roller. Steel balance, spiral balance-spring. One-piece cream enamel dial, later hands. 47 mm diameter, 14 mm deep, not including centre arbor.
Joseph Johnson, 49 Church Street, one of many Liverpool firms with a well deserved reputation for their watches sold in the North American market, although this was no doubt damaged by the number of Swiss fakes also bearing their name.
Alan Treherne designated the various Massey escapements numbers in the order he identified them. They are not an indication of which came first. Over the years it has become clear that the steel roller, type-1, was the earliest to be used, apart that is, from the very first form shown in his 1812 Patent application. At some point around 1820 Massey started to offer jewelled rollers, the type-5 being the earliest. This was followed by the type-2 roller, which itself was soon followed by type-3, the most common.
Lacking hands and the balance-brake. Otherwise a fine example of this now uncommon form of Massey escapement, as well as being an early production of the Johnson firm. Not cleaned by me, but ticking happily when wound.
