Watch Fusee engine
Rare and unusual Swiss pattern engine in lovely condition, circa 1825.
£3,950.00
Variable lever type brass and steel engine, with the main cutter mounted on a pivoted arm and a separate smaller arm holding the cutter to provide space for the hook of the fusee chain, this engine unusually with the added sophistication of an adjustable stop applied by additional gearing – I have never seen this before. 11 inches (27 cm) in length,
Specialist fusee engines like this, in the hands of a specialist fusee cutter, will have been able to produce enough items to cater for a great many watchmakers. Thus the likelihood is that they were never made in any great quantities, adding to their rarity. See also Crom Horological Shop Tools, page 463, for a Swiss engine of similar date.
NB: Apart from their working performance, best quality horological tools like this can also be considered as artistic sculptures of exquisite quality, the combination of rounded and curved interleaving forms as pleasing to the eye as well as to the hand in use.
Somewhat dusty and with what appears to be an old and worn coat of dried oil on parts of the steelwork. Otherwise in fine original and generally well cared for condition, with a patina that has not been ruined by polishing – I have not handled better.
Item reserved
Description
Variable lever type brass and steel engine, with the main cutter mounted on a pivoted arm and a separate smaller arm holding the cutter to provide space for the hook of the fusee chain, this engine unusually with the added sophistication of an adjustable stop applied by additional gearing – I have never seen this before. 11 inches (27 cm) in length,
Specialist fusee engines like this, in the hands of a specialist fusee cutter, will have been able to produce enough items to cater for a great many watchmakers. Thus the likelihood is that they were never made in any great quantities, adding to their rarity. See also Crom Horological Shop Tools, page 463, for a Swiss engine of similar date.
NB: Apart from their working performance, best quality horological tools like this can also be considered as artistic sculptures of exquisite quality, the combination of rounded and curved interleaving forms as pleasing to the eye as well as to the hand in use.
Somewhat dusty and with what appears to be an old and worn coat of dried oil on parts of the steelwork. Otherwise in fine original and generally well cared for condition, with a patina that has not been ruined by polishing – I have not handled better.
