Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Lever watch movement ébauche and dial

British Watch & Clockmaking Company / W. Wagstaff Watch Movement Ébauche and Dial

Partially verified

This object is a lever watch movement ébauche accompanied by a white enamel dial, preserved in the British Museum under registration number 1991,1201.4. Catalogued with a production date of 1842 to 1845 in London, the piece is credited to the British Watch & Clockmaking Company and W. Wagstaff. The movement is documented as a three-quarter-plate layout with a fusee, Harrison's maintaining power, and a ratchet-tooth lever escapement. The flat white enamel dial features black Roman numerals I–XII, an outer minute track, and a sunk subsidiary seconds dial numbered 10 to 60, signed below XII 'W. WAGSTAFF. ISLINGTON LONDON 6785'.

Dial view of watch movement ébauche registration 1991,1201.4
Dial view of watch movement ébauche registration 1991,1201.4 — British Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.britishmuseum.org
Category
Movement · Lever watch movement ébauche and dial
Maker / attribution
British Watch & Clockmaking Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1991,1201.4
Source-reported date
1842-1845
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
6785

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 Construction

This object is an unfinished three-quarter-plate lever watch movement ébauche. The assembly features a four-turn fusee with Harrison's maintaining power and a ratchet-tooth lever escapement. The back plate, measuring 39.80 mm in diameter, is supported by three turned pillars.

The front plate is flanged and recessed to provide a dial seat. Internal machining includes recesses for the center, escape wheels, and pallets, with specific bridges for the fusee, third/fourth wheels, and escapement. A separate cock for the balance and a combined cock for the pallets and escape wheel are installed.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three-quarter-plate movement with fusee and Harrison's maintaining power; ratchet-tooth lever escapement with uncut bimetallic compensation balance.”
  • “The front plate has a flanged edge and a recessed front face leaving a rim providing the dial seat.”

Dial and Visual Description

The movement is accompanied by a 42 mm white enamel dial featuring Roman hour numerals I-XII and a sunk subsidiary seconds dial. The dial is signed 'W. WAGSTAFF. ISLINGTON LONDON 6785'.

The hands are not fitted, the dial feet lack pin holes, and the center hole is described as too small to pass over the hour-wheel pipe.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial with Roman hours I-XII and sunk subsidiary seconds 10-60; dial feet have no pin holes and the centre hole is too small to pass over the hour-wheel pipe.”
  • “Signature: On the dial "W. WAGSTAFF. ISLINGTON LONDON 6785".”

Mechanism and Escapement Details

The escapement follows an obtuse-angle layout, utilizing a short lever, single roller, and D-shaped impulse pin. The steel escape wheel features three crossings and 15 teeth. The uncut bimetallic balance is equipped with timing and quarter screws but lacks a balance spring.

Jewelling is present from the fourth wheel onwards. The movement is key-wound and exhibits a beat rate of 16,200.

Evidence for this section
  • “An obtuse-angle layout ratchet tooth lever escapement with short lever, single roller and D-shaped impulse pin.”
  • “Jewelled bearings from the fourth wheel onwards.”

Open research questions

  • What factors account for the discrepancy between the 1842-1845 production range and the circa 1875 date suggested in the curator's comments?
  • Does the mark 'M*M' (Machine Made) indicate that the component set originated from James Berry of Prescot?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for British Watch & Clockmaking Company / W. Wagstaff Watch Movement Ébauche and Dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Museum Number1991,1201.4“Museum number 1991,1201.4”
MakersBritish Watch & Clockmaking Company; W Wagstaff“Made by: British Watch & Clockmaking Company Made by: W Wagstaff”
Production Date1842-1845“Production date 1842-1845”
Dial SignatureW. WAGSTAFF. ISLINGTON LONDON 6785“Signature: On the dial "W. WAGSTAFF. ISLINGTON LONDON 6785".”
EscapementRatchet-tooth lever“Escapement ratchet-tooth lever”
Acquisition SourceDavid Penney“Purchased from: David Penney”
Museum Number1991,1201.4“Museum number 1991,1201.4”
Production Date Conflict1842-1845 vs circa 1875“Production date 1842-1845”
Curator Manuscript Notecirca 1875“Islington, London, circa 1875”
Ebauche MarkM * M 12 0“Ebauche Marks: M * M 12 0.”

Visible details

  • White enamel circular dial with black Roman hour numerals from I to XII and an outer track with diamond markers at five-minute intervals.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial situated above 6 o'clock marked with Arabic numerals at 10-second increments up to 60.
  • Arbors at the centre and subdial remain devoid of hands.
  • Text inscription beneath XII reads 'W. WAGSTAFF . ISLINGTON' over 'LONDON' over '6785'.

Research qualifications

  • The movement plates and mechanism are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Curator manuscript notes mention a divergent date of 'circa 1875' alongside the catalogue entry's 1842–1845 range.

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

Consulted source

ebauche | British Museum

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record aa3d9fb4a1

Terms in this record

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