Pocket Watch Movement by Thomas Tompion, London, 1695-1696
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1695-1696
Maker / issuer
Thomas TompionThis pocket watch movement, numbered 111, was created by Thomas Tompion in London between 1695 and 1696. The object consists of a key-wound movement featuring a verge escapement, a fusee and chain mechanism, and a winding dial.
The back plate is engraved with the signature "Tompion, London" alongside the number 111, although part of the first digit is obscured due to the removal of metal from the plate. The front plate also bears the serial number 111. The movement is fitted with a fretted balance bridge. The dial and the original gold pair-case are missing. Historical reports suggest this movement was part of a collection stolen from an artist and recovered in a Melbourne cemetery after the original cases had been removed.
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
- 1695-1696
- Type
- Pocket watch movement
- Maker
- Thomas Tompion
- Dimensions
- 2.7 cm width, 3.5 cm diameter
- Escapement
- Verge
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Tompion
- Registration number
- ST 33112
Design
- Visible features
- • Fretted balance bridge • Engraved signature on the back plate • Missing dial • Visible fusee and chain mechanism
- Movement and Mechanism
- The movement is a key-wound type designed for a pocket watch. It incorporates a verge escapement and a fusee and chain mechanism to provide constant force to the gear train. A winding dial is integrated into the structure. The back of the movement features a fretted bridge, which protects the balance wheel and contributes to the overall mechanical configuration of the period. The current state of the movement reflects the loss of external components. The dial, which would have been of a gold champleve design, is no longer attached, leaving the plate and gear train exposed.
- Provenance and History
- Records indicate that this movement was part of a collection that was stolen from an artist. Following the theft, the watch cases were discarded, and the movements were recovered from the Melbourne Cemetery. This history accounts for the missing original case and dial, as well as the observed condition of the plates and serial number engravings. The object is catalogued as a horological item, specifically identified as a movement without its companion case or dial. The documentation emphasizes the movement as a distinct entity within the museum's science and measurement collection.
- Signatures and Identification
- The movement is attributed to Thomas Tompion of London. Identification is confirmed by inscriptions found on the plates. The back plate is engraved with 'Tompion, London' and the serial number '111'. The inscription on the back plate shows signs of physical alteration, as the first digit of the serial number has been partially removed due to damage to the plate. The number '111' is also inscribed on the front plate of the movement, serving as a secondary identification mark. These inscriptions, despite the damage to the back plate, provide a clear link to the maker and the individual production sequence of the movement.
Identification
- Serial number
- 111
- 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: Part of the serial number 111 on the back plate is cut away
- Research required: Original dial and pair-case are not present