Pocket watch movement by Thomas Savory
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1830
This object is a gents pocket watch movement attributed to the maker Thomas Savory of London, dating to approximately 1830. The movement is unaccompanied by a case or dial, as these elements are missing from the artifact.
Constructional elements visible include a key-wound spring mechanism, a verge escapement, and a fusee and chain transmission system. A regulator scale marked "fast" and "slow" is present on the movement plates to facilitate timing adjustments. The serial number 8843 is inscribed on the back plate alongside the maker's signature and location details at 54 Cornhill, London. This movement was acquired by the collection in 1937 through a donation from J.
Ingram.
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
- Date
- circa 1830
- Type
- Pocket watch movement
- Maker
- Thomas Savory
- Diameter
- 3.9 cm
- Escapement
- Verge
- Acquisition
- Donation, 1937
- Inscription
- Thos. Savory, 54 Cornhill, London, no. 8843
- Transmission
- Fusee and chain
- Serial Number
- 8843
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Savory
Design
- Visible features
- • Regulation scale marked 'Fast' and 'Slow' • Key wound spring mechanism • Engraved text on the back plate • Visible fusee and chain assembly
- Signatures and Identification
- The movement plate features identifying inscriptions that link the object to the maker Thomas Savory, operating from 54 Cornhill in London. The engraving explicitly includes the maker's name, their business address, and the serial number of the movement. The number 8843 is clearly marked on the back plate, serving as the identifier for this specific piece. This inscription is a primary reference for the object's origin and attribution to the London trade.
- Provenance and Historical Context
- The movement was acquired by the museum collection in 1937 as a donation from J. Ingram. It is part of a larger group of watch movements obtained from Ingram Brothers jewelers. These items were collected during the 1930s economic depression. During this period, many customers sold gold or silver fob watches to be processed for their precious metal content. While the jewelers opted to melt down the casings to recover the metal, they retained these movements due to their historical interest.
- Construction and Technical Features
- The object is a gents pocket watch movement devoid of its original casing and dial. It incorporates a key-wound spring mechanism designed to drive the gear train through a fusee and chain, a configuration associated with 19th-century horology. The escapement mechanism utilized is a verge escapement. A regulator is present on the movement, which includes a scale engraved with indicators for 'fast' and 'slow' to allow for calibration of the timekeeping rate. The overall diameter of the circular movement assembly is 3.9 cm, with a thickness of 1.3 cm.
Identification
- Serial number
- 8843
- 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: Original case and dial are missing
- Research required: Operational status of the movement is not stated