Thomas Tompion verge pocket watch movement No. 3140
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1700
Maker / issuer
Thomas TompionThis pocket watch movement by Thomas Tompion is catalogued as movement number 3140 and dated to circa 1700. It features a gilt full plate fusee verge design measuring 49 mm, fitted with tulip pillars, a three-arm steel balance, and a silvered regulation disc.
The pierced and engraved balance cock displays an unusual mask motif. Housed in a gilt metal hinged-back case containing a handwritten paper pad lining, the lot is noted by Bonhams as lacking its later white enamel dial. Source documentation notes a previous appearance at Sotheby's in 1981 and literature citation in Jeremy Evans' 'Dial and 3 crowns'.
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 1700
- Type
- Verge & fusee movement
- Maker
- Thomas Tompion
- Pillars
- Tulip pillars
- Provenance
- Sotheby's, 22nd October 1981, lot 157
- Movement Type
- Gilt full plate fusee verge movement
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Missing Element
- Lacking its later white enamel dial
- Movement Number
- 3140
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Tompion
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilt top plate with pierced and engraved foliate balance cock featuring a mask design. • Engraved signature and number 'Tho Tompion London 3140' along the plate rim. • Silvered regulator disc graduated with Arabic numerals. • Hinged gilt metal case back fitted with paper lining inscribed with ink manuscript. • Blued steel screws securing the balance cock and foot.
- Case and Missing Dial
- The movement is set within a gilt metal hinged back case. Observations note that the hinged case back is fitted with a paper lining inscribed with ink manuscript. The assembly is catalogued as 'dial lacking' and described in the auction footnotes as 'Lacking its later white enamel dial'. Front views of the movement and dial side are not illustrated in the auction listing.
- Movement Architecture and Details
- The lot is catalogued as a gilt full plate fusee verge movement measuring 49 mm in diameter, constructed with tulip pillars, a three-arm steel balance, and silvered regulation. Visual inspection shows blued steel screws securing the balance cock and foot. The plate rim is engraved with the signature and serial number 'Tho Tompion London 3140'. The pierced and engraved balance cock displays foliate work, and the cataloguer specifically notes that it features an 'unusual mask on the balance cock'.
- Dating, Literature, and Provenance
- The movement is assigned a date of 'Circa 1700' in Bonhams' lot title and description. It is cited in published horological literature, specifically listed in Jeremy Evans' 'Dial and 3 crowns,' P.91. The auction catalog records prior provenance for the movement at Sotheby's on 22nd October 1981, lot 157.
Identification
- Serial number
- 3140
- 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 movement lacks its dial and the front side is not illustrated.
- Research required: The case exterior is not depicted closed.