DESCRIPTION:
EPW - William B. Crisp, London, fusee large-sized pocket chronometer with spring detent escapement and helical hairspring, 63mm, silver OF original consular case bearing London hallmarks for 1879, incuse "J H" marking for casemakers Joseph and James Hirst, white enamel dial, KWKS, fully capped detent escapement, free-sprung bi-metallic balance with four white metal timing screws, helical hairspring and diamond endstone, jeweled to the fusee, approximately 16J, foliate scrolled balance cock with grotesque mask on its table, gilt mvt with gilt locking dust-cap, s#2/1796. Comes with a key. Gross weight of assembled watch 146.8 dwt (228.4 g). In 1874, the British Horological Institute sponsored a competition for the best essay describing the mechanism of the compensation balance and William B. Crisp won the prize of £50 for his essay on "The Compensated Balance and its Adjustment in Chronometers and Watches." Selections from the collection of Tom McIntyre. Mr. McIntyre's website contains stories on many of the watches which can be found here: https://awco.org?collid=300
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, barrel bridge with some mild fine scratches, main plate with some mild ultra-fine scratch striations at perimeter outside the fusee arbor likely caused by a past light wiping, some scratches and fine scratches adjacent plate pins, dust-cap with some scratches and fine scratches; dial with numerous scattered hls, small edge chip under bezel at 1; excellent hands, hour is blue, seconds-hand is plum colored, minute has areas of plum color and blue as well as portions of finish loss; case shows little wear, an attractive patina, fine and micro-fine scratches, no dents or dings; bow pivots freely; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$1000
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$2000
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