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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Verge fusee pocket watch movement

Georgian verge fusee pocket watch movement by Rigby, London c1810

Partially verified

This item is an English gilt full-plate verge fusee pocket watch movement catalogued to circa 1810 by dealer Atlam Watches. The top plate is engraved in cursive script with the signature 'Jas Rigby, Charing Cross, 709'. The movement features an openwork balance cock pierced with foliate scrolls and flowers, an engraved grotesque face at the foot, and a circular silver regulator disc numbered 5 to 30. Measuring 41 mm in diameter by 12 mm deep, the source notes the mechanism lacks a chain, has a broken balance staff, and is not running.

Back plate view of the gilt verge fusee pocket watch movement by Jas Rigby, Charing Cross, No. 709
Back plate view of the gilt verge fusee pocket watch movement by Jas Rigby, Charing Cross, No. 709 — 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
Jas Rigby
Reference
ME95 (AB-107999)
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c1810
Source-reported place
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
709

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

Top Plate Engraving and Movement Identification

The movement is a circular gilt full-plate verge fusee pocket watch movement identified by cursive engraving across its back plate reading "Jas Rigby, Charing Cross, 709". Visual inspection shows a visible hinge lug and catch piece mounted to the perimeter of the plate assembly.

Dealer listing details categorise the item under the Georgian period (1714 to 1837) and assign it a circa 1810 date in the title, though no specific hallmarks or date stamps are noted on the plate itself.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cursive engraving on the top plate reading 'Jas Rigby Charing Cross 709'”
  • “The movement is signed “Jas Rigby, Charing Cross, 709””
  • “Period Georgian (1714 to 1837)”
  • “Georgian verge fusee pocket watch movement by Rigby, London c1810”

Balance Cock and Regulation Details

The movement incorporates a gilt balance cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliate and floral motifs positioned around a central endstone setting. At the foot of the cock, the engraving includes a grotesque face.

A circular silver regulator disc calibrated with Arabic numerals 5 to 30 is situated on the top plate. The regulator is framed by engraved floral and foliate scrollwork on the plate surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt balance cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliate and floral motifs around a central endstone setting”
  • “Base of the balance cock engraved with a grotesque mask”
  • “Movement – the gilt full plate verge fusee movement has a silver regulator disc and a pierced watch cock decorated with an engraved grotesque face.”
  • “Silvered regulator disc calibrated with Arabic numerals 5 to 30”
  • “Engraved floral and foliate scrollwork flanking the regulator disc”

Reported Condition, Dial, and Mechanical Components

The movement measures 41 mm in width by 12 mm in depth. According to the seller's assessment, it has no chain, possesses a broken staff, and is not running, with minor marks visible on the gilt surface.

Although not depicted in the provided back plate photograph, the listing description records an accompanying white enamel dial lacking hands, described as having a chip at the 6 position with two radiating hairlines, and an additional hairline at the 2 position.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement measures 41mm wide x 12mm deep”
  • “The movement has a no chain and a broken staff - it is not working”
  • “The movement is signed “Jas Rigby, Charing Cross, 709” and is in 90% mint condition – small marks”
  • “Dial – the white enamel dial has no hands and is in 90% mint condition – chip on the 6 with two radiating hairlines plus one on the 2”

Open research questions

  • Do London trade directories confirm active working dates for James Rigby at Charing Cross around 1810?
  • Does the unpictured white enamel dial have dial feet matching the pillar layout of plate 709?
  • What style of case was this movement originally fitted into, and does it retain original hinge pin remnants?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Georgian verge fusee pocket watch movement by Rigby, London c1810
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker's signatureJas Rigby, Charing Cross, 709“The movement is signed “Jas Rigby, Charing Cross, 709””
Movement typeGilt full plate verge fusee“gilt full plate verge fusee movement has a silver regulator disc”
Dimensions41mm wide x 12mm deep“The movement measures 41mm wide x 12mm deep”
Item codeME95 (AB-107999)“Code ME95 (AB-107999)”
Mechanical conditionNo chain and broken staff, not working“The movement has a no chain and a broken staff - it is not working”
Dial descriptionWhite enamel dial lacking hands, with chip and radiating hairlines at 6 and a hairline at 2“Dial – the white enamel dial has no hands and is in 90% mint condition – chip on the 6 with two radiating hairlines plus one on the 2”
Dealer condition descriptionMovement described as 90% mint with small marks“is in 90% mint condition – small marks”

Visible details

  • Circular gilt full-plate movement with visible hinge lug and catch piece
  • Gilt balance cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliate and floral motifs around a central endstone setting
  • Base of the balance cock engraved with a grotesque mask
  • Silvered regulator disc calibrated with Arabic numerals 5 to 30
  • Cursive engraving on the top plate reading 'Jas Rigby Charing Cross 709'
  • Engraved floral and foliate scrollwork flanking the regulator disc

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the movement lacks a chain, has a broken balance staff, and does not run
  • White enamel dial noted in dealer description is not visible in the provided image
  • Dating to circa 1810 is source-reported and not independently verified on the plate

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

Consulted source

Georgian verge fusee pocket watch movement by Rigby, London c1810 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 7744ca50b2

Terms in this record

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

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