Verge Question

[John Pavlik]

Could anyone tell me approx what year fusees had maintaining power setups added to the fusee cone... I have a verge, case dated 1798 that has this feature.. Was wondering if it was original or maybe an add on.. Looks original..Pair case with clear hallmarks and movement signed Mc Farlane.. Boston..Interesting that it also has a diamond end stone and a Flat dial with seconds..and stop works..No dust cap.. Many extras for a 1790's verge..??

Thanks for any help.....John

[John Pavlik]

Could anyone tell me approx what year fusees had maintaining power setups added to the fusee cone... I have a verge, case dated 1798 that has this feature.. Was wondering if it was original or maybe an add on.. Looks original..Pair case with clear hallmarks and movement signed Mc Farlane.. Boston..Interesting that it also has a diamond end stone and a Flat dial with seconds..and stop works..No dust cap.. Many extras for a 1790's verge..??

Thanks for any help.....John

[Don Dahlberg]

Harrison had developed a maintaining power fusee for his chronometers. Number 4 dates 1759. The maintaining spring was on the great wheel on the large end (bottom)of the fusee.

You can see this on page 189 of Briiten's Old Clock and Watches and Their Makers.7th Ed.

Is this what you mean?
Don

[John Pavlik]

Don,

Thanks that is what I was looking for..this may be the "first" one..I should of looked at thast book first.. I know that maintaining power is standard on most lever escapements and even the rack Lever had it..Would there be a reason it is not seen on verge escapements very often??

[Roland Ranfft]

Hi John,

indeed, I've also seen one or the other verge watch with power maintaining device. But this is actually no real improvement for such a watch. Who should worry that the watch will stop during winding, when its accuracy is several to many minutes per day?

Harrison made the "perfect" verge chronometer, but this doesn't apply to any average verge pocket watch.

Regards, Roland Ranfft

[John Pavlik]

Roland,

Great point....This watch must have been someones quest at having all the latest improvements... The dial's minute markers are divided into 1/2 minutes...........I have never seen that on a verge before..

Regards,
John Pavlik

[Emma]

I have an english front wind verge hallmarked 1790 on the case. that has maintaining power. I often wondered why someone would add this extra complication to such a watch as well. the english are a little strange sometimes.