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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Duplex fusee pocket watch

English duplex fusee pocket watch by French, Royal Exchange, London

Partially verified

This English pocket watch is powered by a gilt full-plate fusee movement featuring a duplex escapement, a brass escape wheel, and a wide three-arm steel balance with a diamond endstone. The movement plate is engraved 'French, Royal Exchange' and 'LONDON' alongside an engraved balance cock and a curved Slow/Fast regulation scale. According to the seller, the dial is signed 'French, London, 4258' and the movement is housed in a non-original metal open-face recase measuring 51 mm in diameter by 21 mm deep.

Gilt full-plate fusee movement signed French, Royal Exchange, London, showing the balance assembly and regulation scale
Gilt full-plate fusee movement signed French, Royal Exchange, London, showing the balance assembly and regulation scale — Atlam Watches via Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Duplex fusee pocket watch
Maker / attribution
French
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WE37 (AB-101551)
Source-reported date
c1820
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
4258

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

Movement Construction

The timepiece is powered by a gilt, full-plate fusee movement featuring a duplex escapement. Technical elements include a brass escape wheel, a wide three-arm steel balance, and a diamond endstone.

The movement features an engraved balance cock with an endstone setting secured by a blued steel screw. It also includes an original gilt dust cap and a regulation index calibrated with 'Slow' and 'Fast' markings.

Evidence for this section
  • “the gilt full plate fusee movement has a duplex escapement with a brass ‘scape wheel and a wide 3 arm steel balance with a diamond endstone”
  • “The movement has its original gilt dust cap”
  • “Foliate-engraved balance cock with an endstone setting secured by a blued steel screw.”

Inscriptions and Provenance

The movement plate is signed 'French, Royal Exchange, London'. The white enamel dial is signed 'French, London' and features the serial number '4258'.

The item is categorized by the dealer within the Georgian period (1714 to 1837).

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is signed “French, Royal Exchange, London””
  • “The dial is signed “French, London, 4258””
  • “Period Georgian (1714 to 1837)”

Case and Dial Observations

The movement is housed in a non-original metal open-face case measuring 51 mm wide by 21 mm deep. The case is described as having coin-edged sides and a smooth plain finish, with a hinged back and bezel.

The dial is fitted with mismatched hands. The blue subsidiary seconds hand is noted as unstable on its post.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement comes in a non original METAL open face case”
  • “The watch measures 51mm wide x 21mm deep”
  • “the white enamel dial has mismatched hands and a blue subsidiary seconds hand which is constantly coming off its post.”

Open research questions

  • Is 'French' a recorded watchmaker based in the Royal Exchange, London?
  • Does the serial number 4258 appear in contemporary watchmaker records for English duplex movements?
  • What is the historical context of 're-casing' fusee movements in the metal cases described?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for English duplex fusee pocket watch by French, Royal Exchange, London
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementDuplex escapement“the gilt full plate fusee movement has a duplex escapement”
Movement InscriptionFrench, Royal Exchange, London“The movement is signed “French, Royal Exchange, London””
Dial Inscription and SerialFrench, London, 4258“The dial is signed “French, London, 4258””
Case TypeNon-original metal open face case“the movement comes in a non original METAL open face case”
Dimensions51mm wide x 21mm deep“The watch measures 51mm wide x 21mm deep”
Winding and SettingKey wound and key set“The watch is key wound / key set and comes with a key”
CrystalSynthetic“The watch has a synthetic glass”

Visible details

  • Gilt full-plate movement plate engraved with 'French, Royal Exchange' and 'LONDON'.
  • Foliate-engraved balance cock with an endstone setting secured by a blued steel screw.
  • Polished steel three-arm balance wheel with regulation index pointing to a calibrated scale marked 'Slow' and 'Fast'.

Research qualifications

  • The metal case is noted as non-original to the movement.
  • The dial, hands, and case exterior are described by the dealer but not pictured in the provided photograph.

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

Consulted source

English DUPLEX fusee pocket watch by FRENCH. Metal recase c1820 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record c6ccea4e39

Terms in this record

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