Thomas Tompion key wind fusee verge movement
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1670
Maker / issuer
Thomas TompionCatalogued as Lot 305 by Bonhams, this English key wind fusee verge watch movement is attributed to circa 1670 and signed 'T. Tompion London'. The mechanism features a gilt full plate construction, a plain steel three-arm balance with a ribbed rim, and a pierced and engraved winged balance cock decorated with a mask.
According to the auction catalogue, the movement also includes a silver regulation disc, Egyptian pillars, and a worm set-up mechanism.
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 movement
- Balance
- Plain steel three arm balance with ribbed rim
- Pillars
- Egyptian pillars
- Escapement
- Fusee verge escapement
- Worm Set Up
- Worm set up
- Balance Cock
- Pierced engraved winged balance cock with mask
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker Signature
- T. Tompion London
- Plate Construction
- Gilt full plate
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Tompion
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilt top plate engraved 'T. TOMPION LONDON' near the rim. • Elaborately pierced and engraved winged balance cock with dense scrollwork and a stylized mask. • Circular silver regulation dial engraved with numeric graduations. • Polished and blued steel screws securing top-plate components.
- Visible Top Plate Components
- Direct visual inspection shows a gilt top plate engraved 'T. TOMPION LONDON' near the rim. Secured to this plate is an elaborately pierced and engraved winged balance cock decorated with dense scrollwork and a stylized mask. The plate also displays a circular silver regulation dial engraved with numeric graduations, along with polished and blued steel screws holding top-plate components in place.
- Object Identity and Attributed Origin
- This uncased watch movement was catalogued by Bonhams as Lot 305 and titled 'Thomas Tompion. A rare key wind fusee verge movement'. The mechanism is catalogued as signed 'T. Tompion London'. The auction house provides an approximate date of 'Circa 1670'. The listing does not record an individual movement serial number, reference, case, or dial.
- Reported Mechanism and Structural Elements
- The auction catalogue specifies a 'Gilt full plate' movement with a 'fusee verge escapement' and a 'plain steel three arm balance with ribbed rim'. Additional internal components recorded in the technical description include 'Egyptian pillars', 'silver regulation', and a 'worm set up'. In the primary top-plate view, the internal pillars and setup work are mostly concealed beneath the plate.
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: Sold as an uncased movement without dial, hands, or case.
- Research required: Internal features such as the Egyptian pillars, fusee verge escapement, and worm set-up are documented by the auction house but mostly concealed beneath the top plate in this view.