Thomas Earnshaw Gilt Pair Cased Cylinder Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early 19th century
This early 19th-century English pocket watch was produced by London-based watchmaker Thomas Earnshaw, featuring the maker's signature 'Tho Earnshaw London' and serial number 3885 on the dial and movement.
The timepiece is housed in a matched pair case of gilt metal, characterized by a rounded pendant and circular bow. The dial is constructed of white enamel with black Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. Internally, the watch utilizes a full-plate movement finished with fire gilding, incorporating a fusee and chain system. The movement includes a pierced and engraved balance cock, a silvered regulator dial, and a diamond endstone.
The escapement is a steel cylinder type paired with a large steel escape wheel. A gilt dust cover with geometric cutouts protects the mechanism. The inner case features a winding aperture on the reverse.
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
- Cylinder pocket watch
- Maker
- Thomas Earnshaw
- Country
- England
- Case type
- Pair cased
- Signature
- Tho Earnshaw London
- Escapement
- Cylinder
- Movement type
- Full plate, fusee and chain
- Serial number
- 3885
- Place recorded
- England
- Case maker mark
- JM
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Earnshaw
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a pair case constructed of gilt metal. The assembly features a rounded pendant and a circular bow. The inner case is equipped with a winding aperture on the rear. The white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals and is fitted with Breguet-style hands in gold. The matched cases exhibit a maker's mark 'JM' stamped within a rectangular frame.
- Visible features
- • Pierced and engraved balance cock • White enamel dial with Roman numerals • Breguet-style hands • Silvered regulator scale
- Signatures and Marks
- The maker's signature, reading 'Tho Earnshaw London', is present on both the dial and the underside of the movement. The serial number 3885 is engraved on the mechanism to correspond with the maker's identification. The case components bear the manufacturer's mark 'JM' encased in a rectangular border, identifying the origin of the case hardware.
- Movement and Mechanism
- The full-plate movement is finished with fire gilding and driven by a fusee and chain mechanism. The balance cock is pierced and engraved, supporting a simple three-armed steel balance wheel with a blued steel hairspring. A diamond endstone is situated on the balance cock support. A gilt dust cover, featuring geometric cutouts, allows access to the movement and visibility of the silvered regulator dial. The escapement is a polished steel cylinder type, integrated with a large steel escape wheel.
Identification
- Reference
- 3885
- Serial number
- 3885
- 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: Condition of the escape wheel teeth is unverified
- Research required: Integrity of the fusee chain is unconfirmed