Only Online Auction
Geneva, Jan 03, 2022
LOT 341
S. I. Tobias
Pair-case stop-seconds pocket watch, patented Massey lever escapement; 18K yellow gold
CHF 4,000 - 6,000
EUR 3,900 - 5,800 / USD 4,400 - 6,500 / HKD 33,700 - 51,000
18K yellow gold, pair-cased open-face, key-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, with subsidiary seconds at 6, stop-seconds (activated by the push-piece located on the case-band at 4:30) and patented escapement.
Outer case with cast, chased and engraved, bezel and border; inner case polished.
Gold amati dial with applied pink gold polished radial Roman numerals, with, in the centre, applied varicoloured flowers and foliage decoration; pink gold “Spade” hands.
Movement 19’’’, full plate, fire gilded brass, turned baluster pillars, Liverpool ‘windows’ jeweling with screwed chatons, fusee and chain, maintaining power, patented detached Massey lateral lever escapement (type II), monometallic three-arm balance (probably gold) with peripheral adjustment screws and blued steel flat hairspring, engraved gilded English cock inscribed “Patent”, large diamond end-stone in a blued steel setting, blued steel index regulator; gilded brass sprung dust ring.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3-8-11 |
Good Slightly scratched Slightly worn |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Brand S. I. Tobias, Liverpool
Year circa 1825
Movement No. 4 281
Material 18K yellow gold
Diameter 49 mm.
Caliber 19’’’, patented detached Massey lateral lever escapement (type II)
Dimensions Ø 55.4 mm. (pair-case)
Weight 150.8 gr.
Signature movement
Notes
Patented detached Massey lateral lever escapement
The inscription “Patent” on the balance cock refers to the invention of the detached form of lever escapement patented in 1815 by Edward Massey (1772-1852). Sometimes, examples of these watches are also inscribed with the word “Detached”. This escapement paved the way for the development of the single-roller lever escapement in the early 1820’s.
--
Massey, Edward
Son of Edward Massey, he was a Coventry maker. He invented, patented and manufactured various mechanical logs and sounding machines, which were used by mariners throughout the world during most of the 19th century. A comparable achievement was his invention and production of a series of detached lever escapements for watches and a means of winding a watch by depressing the pendant.
His detached lever, patented in 1815, was the first, simple detached lever since the more complicated work of Mudge, Emery, Leroux and Grant. Its simplicity and good rate encouraged other English makers to take an interest in the lever escapement.
Bibliography
· Treherne, Alan, The Massey Family, Clock, Watch, Chronometer and Nautical Instrument Makers, Newcastle-under-Lyme, 1977 (37 pp., 158 ill.).
--
Tobias, Samuel Isaac
Watchmaker recorded as working between 1811 and 1813 in Liverpool and continued by S. I. Tobias & Co.
--
CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 25% of the hammer price on each lot.Important notice – Special conditions Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete. The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.