James II verge pocket watch movement by Thomas Tompion, London, c. 1690
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1690
The movement is constructed with four pierced tulip pillars pinned through the backplate, a scroll-pierced stop-iron block, and a verge escapement regulated by a sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion-style regulation.
The backplate features a finely executed, symmetric foliate scroll-pierced, chased, and engraved balance cock, showcasing a part herringbone-bordered canted rim. It is accompanied by a conforming pierced irregular scroll-engraved foot, flanked by a silvered regulation disc set within an applied, scroll-engraved panel infill. The piece is inscribed 'Tho. Tompion, London' and numbered '0212', with the serial number '212' also stamped on the front of the pillar plate.
The diameter of the pillar plate measures 3.9 cm (1.5 inches). This movement represents the high craftsmanship associated with the 'father of English clock and watchmaking', illustrating the serial numbering practices and refined aesthetic standards employed by Tompion's workshop during the late 17th century.
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.
Physical characteristics
- Diameter
- 3.9 cm (1.5 inches)
- Material
- gilt metal
Technical characteristics
- Balance
- sprung three-arm steel
- Escapement
- verge
- Movement type
- full plate single fusee
- Serial number
- 212
Design
- Pillars
- pierced tulip
- Decoration
- foliate scroll-pierced and engraved
- Inscription
- Tho. Tompion, London
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Thomas Tompion
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.