What is this Watch??

[Mr Wind Up]

I think that this is a fusee type watch but really don't know anything else. The case markings indicate that it's english but that is all I can find on it. The movement says Liverpool. It also has Rob t (little t) Burns on it and has a serial of 32XXX on it as well. Here are some pictures, if anyone can date this thing or has any info, much thanks to you.http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/1865_TickTock/IMG_0346.jpg http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/1865_TickTock/IMG_0343.jpg http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/1865_TickTock/IMG_0340.jpg

[Bill B]

You will be able to date this watch by the hallmarks inside the case. Post a good picture of them if you don't have a reference book to look them up in.

[Mr Wind Up]

I don't have it in my hands right now, it might be two weeks before I get it back. I see it might be English but is it a rare watch or something special? I'd never seen a watch with a cover on the back or have I ever owned a watch with a fusee movement. Whats special about fusee movements??

[Jerry Matthews]

The watch is certainly English, but I can find no reference to a Robt Burns of Liverpool. I would date it to somewhere around 1860-1880, but as Bill said a clear shot of the hallmarks inside the case will enable us to date it more accurately. The watch is neither rare nor special, but if the movement is in good condition and has been cleaned and oiled it would be a satisfactory time-keeper.

A fusee is a device for compensating for the greater force the mainspring exerts when it is fully wound (thus causing the watch to run fast)with the diminishing force as it winds down. The need for a fusee became obsolete as mainspring technology moved on, but you can still find them on English watches made as late as 1890 or thereabouts.