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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Cylinder watch movement

Cylinder watch movement by E. Prideaux

Partially verified

This uncased antique cylinder watch movement, catalogued under object number 1920-502 in the Science Museum Group collection, is attributed to London maker E. Prideaux and dated to circa 1780–1794 (with museum dates also noted as 1784–1790). The gilded brass top plate exhibits extensive foliate engraving and an intricately pierced balance cock with an endstone setting. Hand-engraved script across the plate reads 'Edm. Prideaux London' accompanied by the serial number 9033. The movement features square winding arbors, a blued steel screw, an indexed regulator disc, and a visible chain wrapped around the fusee between the plates.

Top plate of the cylinder watch movement signed Edm. Prideaux, London, no. 9033
Top plate of the cylinder watch movement signed Edm. Prideaux, London, no. 9033 — The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Movement · Cylinder watch movement
Maker / attribution
E. Prideaux
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1920-502
Source-reported date
1780-1794
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
9033

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 Inscriptions

This uncased watch movement, catalogued under Science Museum Group object number 1920-502, bears explicit hand-engraved inscriptions across its top plate. Visible inspection shows a cursive signature reading 'Edm. Prideaux London' on the plate, alongside the serial number '9033' visible along the rim.

In the museum's cataloguing records, the maker is described as 'E. Prideaux' working in London. The object type is formally classified in the collection details as 'movement - clockwork and cylinder watch' under the category 'Time Measurement'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hand-engraved cursive signature reading 'Edm. Prideaux London' on the top plate”
  • “Engraved serial number '9033' visible along the rim of the top plate”
  • “Cylinder escapement, steel wheel, centre seconds, by E. Prideaux, 1780-94, London”
  • “type: movement - clockwork and cylinder watch”
  • “Category: Time Measurement”

Top Plate and Visible Mechanism

Visual observation of the top plate shows an ornate pierced and engraved balance cock decorated with foliate scrollwork and fitted with a central endstone. A silvered or metallic regulator disc calibrated with numerical divisions is mounted nearby, along with a large blued steel screw set into an engraved plate section.

Between the plates, a fusee chain wound around the fusee barrel is directly visible. The museum record additionally characterizes the mechanism in its heading as 'Cylinder escapement, steel wheel, centre seconds', though dial components, hands, and an outer casing are not recorded in the provided image or object description.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ornate pierced and engraved balance cock with foliate scrollwork and central endstone”
  • “Silvered or metallic regulator disc calibrated with numerical divisions”
  • “Large blued steel screw set into an engraved plate section”
  • “Fusee chain wound around the fusee barrel visible between the plates”
  • “Cylinder escapement, steel wheel, centre seconds, by E. Prideaux, 1780-94, London”

Institutional Documentation and Dating

The Science Museum Group entry provides two distinct date ranges for the movement. One field states 'Made: 1784-1790 in London', while another line in the same entry lists '1780-94, London'.

The collection record also credits acquisition to 'Mrs J Williamson and Bruno Roberts'. Additional components such as a dial or watch case are not recorded in this museum entry.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made: 1784-1790 in London”
  • “Cylinder escapement, steel wheel, centre seconds, by E. Prideaux, 1780-94, London”
  • “credit: Mrs J Williamson and Bruno Roberts”

Open research questions

  • What accounts for the differing date ranges of 1784–1790 and 1780–94 recorded in the Science Museum Group database entry?
  • Do museum accession archives retain any records of an associated dial, hands, or case for object 1920-502?
  • Can the presence of the steel cylinder wheel and centre seconds work described in the record be directly examined beneath the top plate?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cylinder watch movement by E. Prideaux
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Object Number1920-502“Object Number: 1920-502”
Maker and TypeCylinder escapement, steel wheel, centre seconds, by E. Prideaux“Cylinder escapement, steel wheel, centre seconds, by E. Prideaux, 1780-94, London”
Object Typemovement - clockwork and cylinder watch“type: movement - clockwork and cylinder watch”
Date and Place1784-1790 in London“Made: 1784-1790 in London”
Museum Credit LineMrs J Williamson and Bruno Roberts“credit: Mrs J Williamson and Bruno Roberts”
Museum CategoryTime Measurement“Category: Time Measurement”
Source TitleCylinder escapement with wheel and second escapement“Cylinder escapement with wheel and second escapement Made: 1784-1790 in London”

Visible details

  • Ornate pierced and engraved balance cock with foliate scrollwork and central endstone
  • Hand-engraved cursive signature reading 'Edm. Prideaux London' on the top plate
  • Engraved serial number '9033' visible along the rim of the top plate
  • Silvered or metallic regulator disc calibrated with numerical divisions
  • Large blued steel screw set into an engraved plate section
  • Fusee chain wound around the fusee barrel visible between the plates

Research qualifications

  • The dial, hands, and case are absent in the provided photograph
  • The source provides two slightly varying date ranges: '1784-1790' and '1780-94'
  • The maker attribution to E. Prideaux is source-reported and inscribed on the plate

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

Consulted source

Cylinder escapement with wheel and second escapement | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3e5cbf944a

Terms in this record

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