I've just spent a while on the phone this morning and no-one I know is comfortable taking on the servicing of two antique pocket watches I have. Can anyone suggest some names (preferably in the UK) of people you've used or know? Please feel free to message any contact details if you think they don't want their name on a public forum.

And .... we love photos, so the first is a pair cased fusee watch from the late 18th century. Signed J Parson of London and numbered #42 (this could be the year, but I am more inclined to think it's the movement number), I absolutely love this thing. It runs and keeps time but is really filthy. There are more than a few hairlines to the dial. The case is worn, but has a patina now that resembles wood grain.

The movement is a work of art.


Dose columns, doe ...

And for the ornithologists among us ... a phoenix?


The second is a French Quarter Repeater in 18ct gold. It has such a unique detente, yet the case engraving describes it as an anchor escapement - I've never seen one like it and didn't come up with anything on Google. I'm going to have to borrow Phil's copy of George Daniels' Pocket Watches. Then it's set with diamonds rather than rubies (which wasn't uncommon, just screams the quality - I mean, come on, setting a movement like this with 22 diamonds?). On top of all of that, it sounds incredible when it's chiming the time. The watch is absolutely filthy with a hinge repair that's seen better days. Given how hard I'm finding it to get someone to service the piece, I'm now not surprised at how dirty it is.


So... who services these now? I'm drawing a complete blank.

 

I live in the Chicago area and have many good options to choose from. All of the well regarded watchmakers do them. IMO any good restoration watchmaker can work on these. These are beautiful BTW.

 

Let's see if we have to send these to the New World to be done .... hopefully I can find someone over here but I've been knocked back by three people so far, including companies and individuals I would have expected to have jumped at the chance to work on them.

 

There’s got to be some UK people who can work on these.

It would be crazy to send these back and forth thru UK and US customs, with all that hassle.

 

Working on a recommendation for you - give me a couple of days to see if the person I have in mind would be interested in this work...

Cheers, Al

 

Thanks Al

 

Seth Kennedy.

[email protected]

 

That website is a joy to read! I've got a couple of leads now along with one that Al may yet turn up. I'll be in touch over the coming days or weeks depending on the response I get from one closer to home.

 

PM sent...

 

Posting an update to round this thread off:

I've been in touch with two watchmakers who specialise in antique pocket watches. Both have a large backlog of work but one will be able to inspect the watches in three weeks time with a view to working on them in three months time.

A few observations were made which I found interesting, and maybe some of you will too ... to that end, I'll share them here:

The 18th Century English Verge - the watch is very original with the correct dial and beetle and poker hands. The watch features a Tompion regulator. Thomas Tompion developed this type of regulator around 1675. It consists of a rack and pinion with two pins on the rack. These two pins sit either side of the balance spring, gripping it, in such a way that moving the rack effectively lengthens or shortens the spring. It's likely that Thuret of Paris came up with the same system before Tompion but Tompion got the credit. On mine, the silver figure plate is missing. A mix of mis-matched screws and pins shows that the watch has been less than sympathetically serviced over the centuries. Hopefully, we can put all this to right. (My wallet is clenching as I type that).

The figural bird was also mentioned. I had, rather tongue in cheek, called it a phoenix. In fact, it is a most likely a ho-ho (or Ho-o) bird. The ho-ho bird was a symbol of the imperial household, used most often by the Empress. It is a figure represeting fire, the sun, fidelity and justice. The bird has links to the original middle eastern phoenix, so I wasn't terribly wrong. The bird would appear to mark the beginning of a new era and signifies prosperity and peace.

The "French" quarter repeater - that strange "detente" that I mentioned seems not to be so strange afterall. It's only strange to modern eyes. In fact it is a side lever. A quite common type of escapement in Swiss watches of the era. My reading between the lines this may mean that the watch was made in a French speaking area of Switzerland. What I did find surprising was that the movement uses a bimetalic "curb" to compensate for temperature as well as the "parachute" shock protection. Both of which are attributed to Breguet.

That's pretty much it for now but as these watches progress I'll be more than happy to share what I learn.

 

They are lovely ... looking fwd to finished pics and stories .. glad you found a watchmaker! I keep being tempted by PW’s sadly the really good ones are still a major purchase.

 

I cannot wait to seeing this thread progress, this information is phenomenal I am very excited for your journey with these pocket watches.

 

I have my father's pocket watch which was his mother's brother's before that (so my great-uncle). I grew up playing with that thing every Saturday evening before he put it on. That, and winding the church clock, is undoubtedly what drew me to watches in general. I am developing a real soft spot for these two, though.

 

+1!

Seth’s a great guy, does top notch work, and is very good at explaining things to idiots like me.


https://www.time4apint.com/podcast/the-time-4a-pint-podcast-episode-41