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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch movement

Adams & Perry No. 3 20-Jewel "Lancaster Watch", Serial No. 1369

Partially verified

This pocket watch movement represents an early design produced by the Adams & Perry Watch Company, which was organized in 1874. According to the source, the model was designed by Edwin H. Perry and incorporates his patented plate construction and stem-setting mechanism. The movement is fitted with twenty jewels, an unusual specification during a period when 15 jewels were considered fully jeweled. The source reports that while frequently described as 19-size, its pillar plate measures slightly over 46 mm without the dial, closely matching the E. Howard & Co. 'N' size. It features a friction-fit snap-on dial secured by a metal perimeter ring.

Adams & Perry No. 3 20-jewel Lancaster Watch movement, serial 1369, seen through a display back
Adams & Perry No. 3 20-jewel Lancaster Watch movement, serial 1369, seen through a display back — Nathan Moore / Pocket Watch Database. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
blog.pocketwatchdatabase.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
Adams & Perry Watch Company
Reference
No. 3
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c. 1876
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
1369

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Manufacturer Context

This movement is described by the source as an Adams & Perry No. 3 20-jewel "Lancaster Watch", dating to circa 1876. The Adams & Perry Watch Company was organized in 1874, and the model was designed by Edwin H. Perry, characterized by his patented plate design and stem-setting mechanism. The movement plate itself is engraved with the serial number and origin: "1369 / Lancaster Watch / PENNA."

The company operated only briefly before reorganizing as the Lancaster Watch Company in 1877. According to the source, many movements were left unfinished at the time of reorganization, prompting the successor enterprise to market these premium movements for several subsequent years.

Evidence for this section
  • “This watch represents one of the early products of the Adams & Perry Watch Company, organized in 1874.”
  • “This model was the creation of Edwin H. Perry and is characterized by his patented plate design and stem-setting mechanism.”
  • “Gilt movement plate engraved '1369 / Lancaster Watch / PENNA.'”
  • “The Adams & Perry Watch Co. only survived a short time before being reorganized as the Lancaster Watch Company in 1877.”
  • “Because many of the Adams & Perry movements were still unfinished at the time, the new company began to offer these premium movements for several years.”

Plate Sizing and Dial Mount

Although commonly cataloged in modern sources as a 19-size, the source states that the pillar plate measures just over 46 mm without the dial. This measurement aligns closely with E. Howard & Co.'s standard "N" size of the era, which the source suggests was likely an intentional choice to position the watch as a competitor.

The watch features a snap-on dial that is friction-fit to the pillar plate by means of a dedicated metal ring. The source notes that the extra material from this dial ring increases the movement's outer diameter to approximately 46.67 mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Most modern summaries describe this movement as 19-Size. However, since the pillar plate measures just over 46mm without the dial, the size is much closer to the standard “N” size produced by E. Howard & Co. at the time.”
  • “This size was likely chosen as an intentional move to position the “Lancaster Watch” as a competitor to the E. Howard & Co. product line.”
  • “The other intriguing feature of this watch is the snap-on dial, friction-fit using a metal ring that secures the dial to the pillar plate.”
  • “The extra material used for the dial ring expands the outer diameter of the movement to approximately 46.67mm.”

Visible Characteristics and Observation Limits

Visually, the movement is mounted in a display case resting on a clear stand, positioned with the pendant, crown, and bow at the bottom. The gilt movement plate is fitted with blued steel screws and screwed jewel settings, while an engraved balance cock holds an index regulator and a bimetallic balance wheel. The source notes the movement was fitted with 20 jewels, an unusually high count at a time when 15 jewels were considered "fully jeweled."

Because only the movement side is visible in this photograph, the dial, hands, and the snap-on dial ring cannot be observed directly. Additionally, the designation "No. 3" is not engraved on the visible plate and is known solely from the source's documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Mounted in a display case with the pendant, crown, and bow positioned at the bottom on a clear stand”
  • “Gilt movement plate engraved '1369 / Lancaster Watch / PENNA.'”
  • “Blued steel screws and screwed jewel settings across the plate”
  • “Engraved balance cock with index regulator and bimetallic balance wheel”
  • “The movement was also fitted with twenty jewels, further establishing the premium status of this movement in the market when 15-Jewel movements were considered “fully jeweled.””

Open research questions

  • Was movement serial number 1369 finished during the initial Adams & Perry production period or completed and cased after the 1877 reorganization under the Lancaster Watch Company?
  • What markings, signatures, or numerals are present on the dial of this specific watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Adams & Perry No. 3 20-Jewel "Lancaster Watch", Serial No. 1369
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker organizationOrganized in 1874“Adams & Perry Watch Company, organized in 1874.”
Jewel count20 jewels“The movement was also fitted with twenty jewels”
Pillar plate measurementJust over 46mm without dial“the pillar plate measures just over 46mm without the dial”
Outer diameter with dial ringApproximately 46.67mm“expands the outer diameter of the movement to approximately 46.67mm.”
Lineage to HamiltonSubsequent lineage of companies eventually formed the Hamilton Watch Company“Through a lineage of subsequent companies, the Adams & Perry Watch Co. eventually resulted in the formation of the Hamilton Watch Company.”
Dial attachmentFriction-fit snap-on dial with metal ring“snap-on dial, friction-fit using a metal ring that secures the dial to the pillar plate”

Visible details

  • Gilt movement plate engraved '1369 / Lancaster Watch / PENNA.'
  • Engraved balance cock with index regulator and bimetallic balance wheel
  • Blued steel screws and screwed jewel settings across the plate
  • Mounted in a display case with the pendant, crown, and bow positioned at the bottom on a clear stand

Research qualifications

  • The dial and front of the watch are not visible in this view.
  • Serial number 1369 is engraved directly on the plate, while 'No. 3' is the model designation reported by the source.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Adams & Perry No. 3 20-Jewel "Lancaster Watch" c.1876 - Pocket Watch Database Blog

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record a1f8ec0ea4

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.