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Alcan · 5 August 2017, 04:32 AM

A few years ago I became involved in the repair and restoration of this pocket watch belonging to a friend. It had been passed down from his great, great, (maybe 3 greats) uncle, who'd been a British sea captain. The problem arose one morning when he awoke to find his 5 year old grandson playing junior horologist with the watch in a million pieces on the thick carpet living room floor. Three gears were never found. It took me 6 months to find someone to take on the repair, a Brit living in Belgium, and another 6 months for him to cut the new wheels, overhaul the movement, and ship it back.

Here is what an old English verge fusee pocket watch looks like, up close and personal. The hallmarks on this chain drive fusee watch are from 1762, and all components were hand made. It took a master watchmaker the best part of a year to make one and was why only the elite of the day (or sea captains in this case) had them.

When we viewed the macro pix which one of my colleagues had offered to take, we then realized just how much work had gone into the fabrication of this exceptional timepiece.

The engraved 2 birds and the lady's smiling face can be easily seen on the rear plate in the hi-res pix. Not bad for 1762, huh?

rolehex · 5 August 2017, 04:41 PM

Beautiful! thanks for sharing.

Psmith · 5 August 2017, 06:57 PM

Beautiful old piece

slcbbrown · 5 August 2017, 07:01 PM

Amazing. Thanks.

nick c · 5 August 2017, 10:46 PM

Cool old piece

wach16 · 6 August 2017, 10:58 AM

Cool piece...thanks for sharing

The B · 8 August 2017, 11:29 AM

That is really cool, thanks for posting.

chessebj · 8 August 2017, 08:12 PM

"junior horologist"

You know, it would be hard to be too mad.

Hairdude1 · 9 August 2017, 06:26 AM

So cool

AndyWright · 10 August 2017, 02:48 AM

Beautiful pocket watch and very interesting story. Glad you were able to get it fixed.

SearChart · 10 August 2017, 03:17 AM

Very nice!

I tried to restore a broken fusee chain once, it's damn near impossible. They were much better watchmakers back then, making those things by hand is a lost art.

lapince · 10 August 2017, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Very nice!

I tried to restore a broken fusee chain once, it's damn near impossible. They were much better watchmakers back then, making those things by hand is a lost art.

You are young, all in due time

5 August 2017, 04:32 AM	#1
Alcan 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Al Location: Way Up North Watch: your P's & Q's Posts: 10,473	Old World Craftsmanship A few years ago I became involved in the repair and restoration of this pocket watch belonging to a friend. It had been passed down from his great, great, (maybe 3 greats) uncle, who'd been a British sea captain. The problem arose one morning when he awoke to find his 5 year old grandson playing junior horologist with the watch in a million pieces on the thick carpet living room floor. Three gears were never found. It took me 6 months to find someone to take on the repair, a Brit living in Belgium, and another 6 months for him to cut the new wheels, overhaul the movement, and ship it back. Here is what an old English verge fusee pocket watch looks like, up close and personal. The hallmarks on this chain drive fusee watch are from 1762, and all components were hand made. It took a master watchmaker the best part of a year to make one and was why only the elite of the day (or sea captains in this case) had them. When we viewed the macro pix which one of my colleagues had offered to take, we then realized just how much work had gone into the fabrication of this exceptional timepiece. The engraved 2 birds and the lady's smiling face can be easily seen on the rear plate in the hi-res pix. Not bad for 1762, huh? Attached Images __________________ Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!

5 August 2017, 06:57 PM	#3
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	Beautiful old piece __________________

6 August 2017, 10:58 AM	#6
wach16 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: NH Watch: 228239, PAM00684 Posts: 2,121	Cool piece...thanks for sharing __________________ Rolex 228239 PAM00684

9 August 2017, 06:26 AM	#9
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	So cool __________________ Instagram: @Hairdude Watches in Collection 5070R, 5522A, 214270 MK1, 228238 16750, 26401, 5711, 116718, 116710LN, 116300, 16710"Coke", 372, 15300, 15703 (All Flipped) Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas Int'l GTG 2018

5 August 2017, 04:41 PM	#2
rolehex 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 1,445	Beautiful! thanks for sharing.

5 August 2017, 07:01 PM	#4
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,689	Amazing. Thanks.

5 August 2017, 10:46 PM	#5
nick c Banned Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 26,846	Cool old piece

8 August 2017, 11:29 AM	#7
The B "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: USA Posts: 221	That is really cool, thanks for posting.

8 August 2017, 08:12 PM	#8
chessebj Banned Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 158	"junior horologist" You know, it would be hard to be too mad.

10 August 2017, 02:48 AM	#10
AndyWright "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Real Name: Andy Location: London Watch: Rolex Deepsea Posts: 560	Beautiful pocket watch and very interesting story. Glad you were able to get it fixed.

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