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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Verge fusee pocket watch movement

English verge fusee pocket watch movement by Chas Clanton, London

Partially verified

This is an antique English full plate verge fusee pocket watch movement dating to circa 1780. The gilt movement features cylindrical pillars, an elaborately pierced and engraved balance cock, and a silver regulator disc. The top plate is engraved with the signature 'Chas Clanton, London' along with movement number 3749. Measuring 37.7 mm by 16 mm, it retains a white enamel dial according to the dealer listing, though the source notes damage to the escape wheel and balance.

Top plate view of the gilt verge fusee movement showing the pierced balance cock and regulator disc
Top plate view of the gilt verge fusee movement showing the pierced balance cock and regulator disc — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Movement · Verge fusee pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
Chas Clanton
Reference
ME61 (AB-63239)
Catalogue / lot identifier
itm63239
Source-reported date
c1780
Source-reported place
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
3749

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 Inscription Discrepancies

The object is an English full plate verge fusee pocket watch movement cataloged by dealer Atlam Watches with the title 'English verge fusee movement by Canton, London c1780'. The listing assigns the piece to the Georgian period (1714 to 1837) under stock code ME61 (AB-63239).

Despite the page header naming 'Canton', the movement body description and visible engraving record the signature as 'Chas Clanton, London 3749'. Direct photographic observation confirms cursive engraving reading 'Chas Clanton, London 3749' along the lower edge of the plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “English verge fusee movement by Canton, London c1780”
  • “Period Georgian (1714 to 1837)”
  • “Code ME61 (AB-63239)”
  • “signed “Chas Clanton, London 3749””
  • “Gilt plate bearing cursive engraving 'Chas Clanton, London 3749' along the lower edge”

Top Plate and Mechanical Construction

Visual observation of the movement shows a gilt top plate fitted with an ornate openwork floral balance cock featuring an engraved crest shield motif at the base, retained by a blued steel fixing screw. Adjacent to the cock sits a silvered regulator plate calibrated with numerals including 5, 20, 25, and 30.

According to the dealer text, the movement is a gilt full plate verge movement equipped with cylindrical pillars and a silver regulator disc. The source lists physical dimensions of 37.7mm x 16mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ornate openwork floral balance cock with an engraved crest shield motif at the base”
  • “Blued steel fixing screw on the plate adjacent to the balance cock”
  • “Silvered regulator plate numbered with calibrations including 5, 20, 25, and 30”
  • “Movement – the gilt full plate verge movement has a fancy pierced watch cock, a silver regulator disc and is signed “Chas Clanton, London 3749”. The movement has cylindrical pillars”
  • “The movement measures 37.7mm x 16mm”

Dealer-Reported Condition and Dial Attributes

The seller listing notes specific mechanical defects and assembly condition, stating that the movement 'has a perfect chain but the escape wheel is badly damaged and the balance is broken', along with tarnish and other damaged parts. These internal gearing and balance faults cannot be fully verified from the single back-plate view.

Additionally, the source describes the presence of an original white enamel dial with 'some damage on the edge of the 7-8 and has long scratches which have gone dirty through time', as well as 'a small chip in the centre'. Because the provided photograph shows only the movement top plate, the dial is not pictured in the verified imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “This verge pocket watch movement has a perfect chain but the escape wheel is badly damaged and the balance is broken”
  • “The movement has parts damaged – see above and tarnish”
  • “Dial – the white enamel dial is original and has some damage on the edge of the 7-8 and has long scratches which have gone dirty through time”
  • “The dial is in 90% mint condition – a small chip in the centre and dirty”

Open research questions

  • Are there records in London clockmakers' guilds or trade directories for a maker named 'Chas Clanton' around circa 1780, or does the signature represent a known variant spelling of Canton or Clotmon?
  • What visual evidence or documentation exists for the reported white enamel dial and its attachment method to the cylindrical pillar plate?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for English verge fusee pocket watch movement by Chas Clanton, London
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
SignatureChas Clanton, London 3749“signed “Chas Clanton, London 3749””
PillarsCylindrical pillars“The movement has cylindrical pillars”
RegulatorSilver regulator disc“a silver regulator disc”
Dimensions37.7mm x 16mm“The movement measures 37.7mm x 16mm”
Stock CodeME61 (AB-63239)“Code ME61 (AB-63239)”
PeriodGeorgian (1714 to 1837)“Period Georgian (1714 to 1837)”
Dealer Listing Price€89 (approx conversion from £75)“€89 (approx conversion from £75)”
Dealer IdentityAtlam Watches, London, United Kingdom“Dealer Atlam Watches”

Visible details

  • Ornate openwork floral balance cock with an engraved crest shield motif at the base
  • Silvered regulator plate numbered with calibrations including 5, 20, 25, and 30
  • Gilt plate bearing cursive engraving 'Chas Clanton, London 3749' along the lower edge
  • Blued steel fixing screw on the plate adjacent to the balance cock

Research qualifications

  • The listing title refers to 'Canton' while the movement inscription and text body record 'Chas Clanton'
  • The dial and motion work side mentioned in the text are not shown in the provided photograph
  • Dealer listing reports damaged escape wheel, broken balance, and dial imperfections

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

Consulted source

English verge fusee movement by Canton, London c1780 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record eb57693587

Terms in this record

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

Other verge fusee pocket watch movement records