English verge fusee pocket watch movement by Chas Clanton, London
ProbableCredible evidence exists but classification is not fully established.
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c1780
This is an antique English full plate verge fusee pocket watch movement dating to circa 1780. The gilt movement features cylindrical pillars, an elaborately pierced and engraved balance cock, and a silver regulator disc.
The top plate is engraved with the signature 'Chas Clanton, London' along with movement number 3749. Measuring 37.7 mm by 16 mm, it retains a white enamel dial according to the dealer listing, though the source notes damage to the escape wheel and balance.
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
- Verge fusee pocket watch movement
- Period
- Georgian (1714 to 1837)
- Pillars
- Cylindrical pillars
- Regulator
- Silver regulator disc
- Signature
- Chas Clanton, London 3749
- Dimensions
- 37.7mm x 16mm
- Stock Code
- ME61 (AB-63239)
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- Chas Clanton
Design
- Visible features
- • Ornate openwork floral balance cock with an engraved crest shield motif at the base • Silvered regulator plate numbered with calibrations including 5, 20, 25, and 30 • Gilt plate bearing cursive engraving 'Chas Clanton, London 3749' along the lower edge • Blued steel fixing screw on the plate adjacent to the balance cock
- Top Plate and Mechanical Construction
- Visual observation of the movement shows a gilt top plate fitted with an ornate openwork floral balance cock featuring an engraved crest shield motif at the base, retained by a blued steel fixing screw. Adjacent to the cock sits a silvered regulator plate calibrated with numerals including 5, 20, 25, and 30. According to the dealer text, the movement is a gilt full plate verge movement equipped with cylindrical pillars and a silver regulator disc. The source lists physical dimensions of 37.7mm x 16mm.
- Identity and Inscription Discrepancies
- The object is an English full plate verge fusee pocket watch movement cataloged by dealer Atlam Watches with the title 'English verge fusee movement by Canton, London c1780'. The listing assigns the piece to the Georgian period (1714 to 1837) under stock code ME61 (AB-63239). Despite the page header naming 'Canton', the movement body description and visible engraving record the signature as 'Chas Clanton, London 3749'. Direct photographic observation confirms cursive engraving reading 'Chas Clanton, London 3749' along the lower edge of the plate.
- Dealer Reported Condition and Dial Attributes
- The seller listing notes specific mechanical defects and assembly condition, stating that the movement 'has a perfect chain but the escape wheel is badly damaged and the balance is broken', along with tarnish and other damaged parts. These internal gearing and balance faults cannot be fully verified from the single back-plate view. Additionally, the source describes the presence of an original white enamel dial with 'some damage on the edge of the 7-8 and has long scratches which have gone dirty through time', as well as 'a small chip in the centre'. Because the provided photograph shows only the movement top plate, the dial is not pictured in the verified imagery.
Identification
- Reference
- ME61 (AB-63239)
- Serial number
- 3749
- 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: The listing title refers to 'Canton' while the movement inscription and text body record 'Chas Clanton'
- Research required: The dial and motion work side mentioned in the text are not shown in the provided photograph
- Research required: Dealer listing reports damaged escape wheel, broken balance, and dial imperfections