Thos HATTON 3rd, Preston. No 29
A very rare example of an English movement with fuseé renversé, circa 1775, by this enigmatic maker.
£495.00
Nicely made fusee movement named on the cock and also bearing the initial T H P 3rd No 29 on the top plate, the cock with larger than usual table and small foot, the train of standard form other than the fusee is inverted on the great wheel, with the narrow end next to the wheel, the fusee stop work also needing to be next to the great wheel. Verge (recoil) escapement. Large steel balance with original 4 1/2 turn balance-spring. Enamel dial. 35 mm diameter, 16.5 mm deep, not including centre arbor.
Thomas Hatton, watchmaker, presumably from the time after he left London and moved to Preston. He is recorded as being made bankrupt in 1774. The reference to the use of ‘3rd’ is not known, but presumably comes from his use of the family name of Thomas. This is one of just two watches known to me that bear this unusual signature, the other being numbered 16 which was included in the list of the extensive Evan Roberts collection. It present whereabouts is unknown
Thomas Hatton is best known for his book An Introduction the the Mechanical Part of Clock and Watch Work. This was published in London 1773 and was possibly the cause of his insolvency and subsequent move (back?) to Lancashire. The book is remarkable as being the work of a trade watchmaker who had the ambition and money to publish his thoughts on how watches could and should be made better. Though full of sometimes obscure mathematics, not made easier by the use of 18th century or perhaps personal nomenclature, it provides a rare and fascinating insight into watchmaking of the period.
NB: The term fusée renversé comes from the use of this form of fusee by the great Paris maker Pierre Le Roy around 1765, although it was mentioned by Julien Le Roy in his re-edition of Henry Sully’s book Regle Artificielle du Temps in 1737. I think just three examples are known in watches by Le Roy but it was also being used by Henry Hindley in his best spring clocks from around 1750. This is one of only two English watch examples known to me – it is indeed a rare feature. Please also note that this form of fusee is not the same as ‘reverse fusee’ or ‘inverted fusee’
Hands lacking, dial with cracks and the movement rather dirty with the bloom of dried up oil. Not working but certainly well worthy of a good home and a considered restoration.
Item reserved
Description
Nicely made fusee movement named on the cock and also bearing the initial T H P 3rd No 29 on the top plate, the cock with larger than usual table and small foot, the train of standard form other than the fusee is inverted on the great wheel, with the narrow end next to the wheel, the fusee stop work also needing to be next to the great wheel. Verge (recoil) escapement. Large steel balance with original 4 1/2 turn balance-spring. Enamel dial. 35 mm diameter, 16.5 mm deep, not including centre arbor.
Thomas Hatton, watchmaker, presumably from the time after he left London and moved to Preston. He is recorded as being made bankrupt in 1774. The reference to the use of ‘3rd’ is not known, but presumably comes from his use of the family name of Thomas. This is one of just two watches known to me that bear this unusual signature, the other being numbered 16 which was included in the list of the extensive Evan Roberts collection. It present whereabouts is unknown
Thomas Hatton is best known for his book An Introduction the the Mechanical Part of Clock and Watch Work. This was published in London 1773 and was possibly the cause of his insolvency and subsequent move (back?) to Lancashire. The book is remarkable as being the work of a trade watchmaker who had the ambition and money to publish his thoughts on how watches could and should be made better. Though full of sometimes obscure mathematics, not made easier by the use of 18th century or perhaps personal nomenclature, it provides a rare and fascinating insight into watchmaking of the period.
NB: The term fusée renversé comes from the use of this form of fusee by the great Paris maker Pierre Le Roy around 1765, although it was mentioned by Julien Le Roy in his re-edition of Henry Sully’s book Regle Artificielle du Temps in 1737. I think just three examples are known in watches by Le Roy but it was also being used by Henry Hindley in his best spring clocks from around 1750. This is one of only two English watch examples known to me – it is indeed a rare feature. Please also note that this form of fusee is not the same as ‘reverse fusee’ or ‘inverted fusee’
Hands lacking, dial with cracks and the movement rather dirty with the bloom of dried up oil. Not working but certainly well worthy of a good home and a considered restoration.