NICOLE & CAPT No 5670, for Samuel DIXON, London
ood keyless movement by this important firm, circa 1870.
£45.00
Typical slim pillar-less three-quarter plate going-barrel movement jewelled to the 3rd, with cap jewels on balance, lever and escape, the pillar-plate stamped with the usual two Nicole serial numbers, 5670 and 5833. Single-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, balance-spring with overcoil. Signed enamel dial with seconds at 9. 44 mm diameter, 7.5 mm deep, not including centre arbor.
Samuel Dixon, 23 Cornhill, London, not recorded in any of the standard horological lists, but entered as “retail goldsmiths” in the Goldsmiths,’ Silversmiths,’ Watchmakers’ and Cutlers’ Directory… of 1863.
Adolphe Nicole & Jules Capt, manufacturers of the first successful keyless watches that could be wound and set without opening the case, suppliers to many top retailers. Adolphe Nicole, Patent No 10,348 of October 1844, includes, amongst other important features, the first commercially successful keyless work for both going-barrel and fusee watches. See my reprint of Nicole Nielsen’s catalogue High Class English Watches for more information about this still underrated London firm – it is as though, once having left the Jura, Swiss writers have preferred to eliminate them from horological history altogether!
NB: Nicole & Capt were using two different escapements at this period, duplex and detached lever, the latter of which was usually used in their best work.
Dial with edge chips, lacking hands and seconds pivot broken. Otherwise it appears to be complete and intact but it is not willing to tick although the balance is swinging freely. Sold as not working.
Item available
Description
Typical slim pillar-less three-quarter plate going-barrel movement jewelled to the 3rd, with cap jewels on balance, lever and escape, the pillar-plate stamped with the usual two Nicole serial numbers, 5670 and 5833. Single-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, balance-spring with overcoil. Signed enamel dial with seconds at 9. 44 mm diameter, 7.5 mm deep, not including centre arbor.
Samuel Dixon, 23 Cornhill, London, not recorded in any of the standard horological lists, but entered as “retail goldsmiths” in the Goldsmiths,’ Silversmiths,’ Watchmakers’ and Cutlers’ Directory… of 1863.
Adolphe Nicole & Jules Capt, manufacturers of the first successful keyless watches that could be wound and set without opening the case, suppliers to many top retailers. Adolphe Nicole, Patent No 10,348 of October 1844, includes, amongst other important features, the first commercially successful keyless work for both going-barrel and fusee watches. See my reprint of Nicole Nielsen’s catalogue High Class English Watches for more information about this still underrated London firm – it is as though, once having left the Jura, Swiss writers have preferred to eliminate them from horological history altogether!
NB: Nicole & Capt were using two different escapements at this period, duplex and detached lever, the latter of which was usually used in their best work.
Dial with edge chips, lacking hands and seconds pivot broken. Otherwise it appears to be complete and intact but it is not willing to tick although the balance is swinging freely. Sold as not working.
