Breguet pocket watch bench key, circa 1810
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1810
This antique pocket watch bench key, dated circa 1810 from the Georgian period, was made for watchmaker workshop use rather than decorative fob wear. The tool features a Breguet-style sprung ratchet design permitting winding in only one direction, which the dealer notes prevented damage to watches containing delicate fusee chains.
It incorporates a circular ring handle housing a central coiled steel spring, attached to a brass body and winding shaft measuring size 2-3.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Bench key
- Period
- Georgian (1714 to 1837)
- Mechanism
- Sprung ratchet
- Tool type
- Bench key
- Dimensions
- 45mm x 20mm x 5mm
- Intended function
- Watchmaker's tool
- Material and size
- Brass, size 2-3
Design
- Visible features
- • Circular metal ring handle enclosing a central arbor fitted with an exposed coil spring • Visible unidirectional ratchet teeth at the brass collar junction • Square-profile brass winding shaft extending below the ratchet collar
- Identity and Intended Function
- This tool is catalogued under the title 'Unusual large Breguet pocket watch bench key c1810' and attributed by dealer Atlam Watches to the Georgian period (1714 to 1837). The seller describes the object's purpose as a workshop implement rather than personal jewelry: 'This pocket watch key would have been made by a watchmaker to use when working with watches rather than a decorative key to be worn on a chain.' The designation 'Breguet' denotes the ratchet mechanism style rather than confirmed manufacture by Abraham-Louis Breguet. No maker signatures, trademarks, or serial numbers are recorded in the dealer's documentation.
- Mechanism and Operational Design
- The bench key is constructed to wind watches in a single rotational direction to protect delicate movements. According to the seller, 'The key has a sprung internal ratchet and the key can only wind one way, thus preventing damage to watches with a delicate fusee chain.' Direct visual inspection of the key shows a 'Circular metal ring handle enclosing a central arbor fitted with an exposed coil spring' and 'Visible unidirectional ratchet teeth at the brass collar junction'. These elements provide the slipping ratchet function when turned in reverse.
- Physical Dimensions and Construction
- The seller describes the assembly by noting that 'The key has a large round handle with a large spring' and 'The rest is brass and is a size 2-3'. The overall external dimensions are reported as '45mm x 20mm x 5mm'. The dealer also grades the piece as being in '95% mint condition', representing subjective seller assessment rather than independent verification. A 'Square-profile brass winding shaft extending below the ratchet collar' is visible in the photograph. Because the object is captured in only a single fixed view, the interior socket opening and bore profile of the winding pipe are not shown.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Breguet designation refers to the ratchet design style rather than manufacture by Abraham-Louis Breguet
- Research required: Winding pipe bore end is not shown in the single perspective view