David Taylor - Who was he?

[Dave Berghold]

Well, every once and a while I pull out a watch that I've not carried in a while and this time it was an English fusee lever by David Taylor. So, after a couple of days admiring the piece again and again, I decided that it was time to look deeper into the reference books to see if there was any additional information about this watchmaker. I only found once reference and it was in Brian Loomes Vol 2. showing a David Taylor in London 1851 - 1869. Everywhere else that I've looked I came up empty. And this is a suprise as the watch is not rare, but of such nice quality. It is also somewhat unusual in my mind as it has a rather large balance wheel. It measures about 22mm with the balance screws. The whole of the movement is about 45mm. It has a standard side lever escapement with pointed tooth escape wheel. Nothing fancy. Nice silver case, etc.... The finish on the steel is nothing short of fantastic. Great dusts cover that looks like it would be protecting a much higher grade watch. Plain enamel dial, nicely divided. Sad that the minute hand was replaced and I've not been able to locate a good match. In any case, I would like to hear from anyone who might have some futher information about this watchmaker. I'll try to post a couple of images in the next day or so. If anyone has any other timepieces by this maker, I would sure like to catch a peak. Other references would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance and happy holidays to all.
Dave

[Dave Berghold]

Well, every once and a while I pull out a watch that I've not carried in a while and this time it was an English fusee lever by David Taylor. So, after a couple of days admiring the piece again and again, I decided that it was time to look deeper into the reference books to see if there was any additional information about this watchmaker. I only found once reference and it was in Brian Loomes Vol 2. showing a David Taylor in London 1851 - 1869. Everywhere else that I've looked I came up empty. And this is a suprise as the watch is not rare, but of such nice quality. It is also somewhat unusual in my mind as it has a rather large balance wheel. It measures about 22mm with the balance screws. The whole of the movement is about 45mm. It has a standard side lever escapement with pointed tooth escape wheel. Nothing fancy. Nice silver case, etc.... The finish on the steel is nothing short of fantastic. Great dusts cover that looks like it would be protecting a much higher grade watch. Plain enamel dial, nicely divided. Sad that the minute hand was replaced and I've not been able to locate a good match. In any case, I would like to hear from anyone who might have some futher information about this watchmaker. I'll try to post a couple of images in the next day or so. If anyone has any other timepieces by this maker, I would sure like to catch a peak. Other references would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance and happy holidays to all.
Dave

[doug sinclair]

Dave,

I checked my copy of Britten's 9th, and there are two David Taylors listed there:

TAYLOR, David-1842-64: 27 Northampton Square & 13a Market st. 1849-61, watch & clockmaker, a large trade with the American market between 1850-64.

TAYLOR, David- 1845-70:20 Tysoe st., Spafields, watch & clock maker.

If there is a place name on your watch, you might want to add this to your post, or try Tony Harrison-Smith's Historic Watch & Clock site here (http://www.horologia.co.uk/watchglossary.html). I checked the library listings, and there were lots of listings for Taylor, but no David. Again, the place name may help on that board, as sometimes these English maker's names either originated with a predecessor, or continued with a successor's name in the same location. Good luck, and Season's Greetings to you as well.

[Dave Berghold]

Doug,
This Taylor was working at 27 Northampton Sq. Here are a couple of image links to the watch.

www.lastwindup.com/pix/taylor1.jpg (http://www.lastwindup.com/pix/taylor1.jpg)
www.lastwindup.com/pix/taylor2.jpg (http://www.lastwindup.com/pix/taylor2.jpg)
www.lastwindup.com/pix/taylor3.jpg (http://www.lastwindup.com/pix/taylor3.jpg)

What do you think?

Dave

[doug sinclair]

Dave,

Apparently, the maker of your watch is one of the two mentioned in Britten's, the one who exported regularly to the US. With luck you may receive more information on this particular individual.

It has been a while since I've seen an English watch that really makes me hummm. I always compare them with American watches.

[Oliver Mundy]

It is certainly an item of better than average quality. Compensated balances remained quite scarce in both British and Swiss practice until about 1890, while most fusee watches had only 7 or 9 jewels. The type of seconds dial used here suggests a date in the late 1850s or early 1860s, but the hallmarks in the case should make it possible to establish an exact year; can we have an image of these? The movement was probably made in Liverpool and merely badge-engineered for Taylor; the outboard set-up ratchet is typical of high-class Liverpool practice of about 1845-1860.