Information on a Fusee and casemaker

[Vic Kuring]

I was just handed a verge fusee for sevice and I would like to know more about the origins of the watch, which (to me) appears to have been created in the mid/late 1700's. It has an ornately pierced balance cock and mainspring bridge. The movement is roughly the same diameter as a size 12 and is marked "Handscomb" "Woburn" and the serial "No 1253". The watch backwinds IE you do not wind it through the dial. Any info out there as to the age, maker and origin of this watch?

The paircase seems to be gold plated or heavy gold wash. The outercase opens via a button/ spring and the inner case snaps. The cases are marked "WR" in block letters with a dot between the W and the R. Any information on this casemaker would also be appreciated.

This watch appears 100% original, visually in excellent condition and the best part is that it's still running in every position but face up. I suspect something with the balance staff or the cock jewels. No way am I qualified to service this but I can point the owner in the right direction. As my interest in this watch is peaked I'd appreciate any info that can be had and I am certain the watches owner would appreciate it as well. Apparently this watch, along with some decent ebauches have been in the family and passed down from generation to generation.

Thanks in advance!
Vic

[Julian Smith]

"Brittens" has Handscomb,E listed as 1780-90.
Hope this helps.
J Smith

[m.bredewold]

Well take a shot at it, its no rocketscience :biggrin:

If it is not working pendant up, i suspect that the crown wheel or its bushing is worn out or not adjusted properly (too deep or too far away.
You might want to take the balance out and check the crownwheel's teeth and endshake.
If you look closely at the side you wil find a bras stud that is ment to adjust its dept, my guess is that when you pull this one hair further it will run again pendant up.

Good luck, i'm not a pro but have worked on these for 8 years now, and i have seen simular problems again and again.

[Frank Menez]

Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World by G.H. Baillie

Ebenezer Handscomb Woburn before 1764

Ampthill before 1781-90 (Ampthill town 8 Miles South of Bedford)

Woburn 7 Miles South West of Ampthill

Case Maker W.R William Russell 3 Crown Court Foster Lane London C1784 ( This is probably the case maker if the case has London Hall Marks)

[Vic Kuring]

Thanks to both Julian & Frank for the information on the movement and possible case maker. Thanks,also, to M.Bredewold for the encouragement to dig into it. Fortunately I know my limitations and never having the opportunity to dig into a verge fusee there is no way I'm going to take the dive on someones heirloom piece. I'd rather watch over a pro's shoulder that has intimate knowledge of them. I have a couple of lever fusees that I will someday dig into that have no sentimental value. Those are the types of watches to learn on!

From the info provided the movement was produced perhaps the mid 1700's.

The case maker may be William Russell. I see no other hallmarks on either in inner or outer case.
Are there any other case makers with those initials?
As the case appears to be plated would Hallmarks be applied?
As the watches owner has European heritage there is a good chance the watch came over when the family immigrated to the US. What about the 20 or so year descrepency between the movement and the possible case maker?

Vic

[Frank Menez]

Watch Case Makers of England by Priestley

Several watch case makers with the intials WR are listed in the above publication, however the dates do not match the period the watch was made and there is no dot between the letters.

During the period this watch was made you normally would have a lion passant 22 carat Hall Marks . Since your case appears to be plated etc. I dont know what type of hall marks would have been used.

There are some experts would often post on this MB that know more about Hall marks than I do. Hope they can help you.

[LloydB]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
What about the 20 or so year descrepency between the movement and the possible case maker?

Vic </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If I'm reading the previous posts
correctly, then Handscomb changed
locations from Woburn to Ampthill
around 1780. The watch in question
could have been finished in Woburn,
acompanied him on the move, and cased
(or re-cased?) around 1784.

Anyway, it may be only a few years
need to be explained away.

Could you post a picture?

[Vic Kuring]

I should have taken some pictures when the watch was here. Unfortunately I didn't. I will make contact with the person to whom it belongs to. I'm certain he will be more than happy to let me take a few pictures especially if it helps to obtain more information. If and when I get a few pics I'll find this string and post them.

Thanks everyone for your help & Happy New Year!
Vic