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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Duplex watch movement

Going-barrel watch movement, with duplex escapement

Partially verified

This going-barrel watch movement featuring a duplex escapement is catalogued in the Science Museum Group collection under object number 1920-509. The source dates the piece between 1801 and 1830, reporting it as French or Swiss from the early 19th century, acquired via the Bruno Roberts Collection. The brass movement incorporates multiple bridges secured with blued screws, an exposed wheel train, a steel escape wheel, and an index regulator scale engraved with FAST and SLOW indications.

Top-plate view of the going-barrel duplex watch movement showing the bridge layout, balance assembly, and going train
Top-plate view of the going-barrel duplex watch movement showing the bridge layout, balance assembly, and going train — 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 · Duplex watch movement
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1920-509
Source-reported date
1801-1830
Country
France or Switzerland

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 Provenance

Catalogued under object number 1920-509 by the Science Museum Group, the item is titled 'Going-barrel watch movement, with duplex escapement'. It is credited in the institutional record to the 'Bruno Roberts Collection' and is categorized under 'Time Measurement' as type 'movement - clockwork and duplex watch'.

The collection record lists the date of manufacture as '1801-1830' and describes the piece as 'Duplex, French or Swiss, early 19th century'. A specific maker is not recorded in the source entry.

Evidence for this section
  • “Going-barrel watch movement, with duplex escapement”
  • “Object Number: 1920-509”
  • “credit: Bruno Roberts Collection”
  • “Category: Time Measurement”
  • “type: movement - clockwork and duplex watch”
  • “Made: 1801-1830”
  • “Duplex, French or Swiss, early 19th century”

Movement Architecture and Observable Features

Direct observation of the movement displays a circular brass layout built with multiple individual finger bridges secured by blued steel screws. The balance cock is fitted with an index regulator scale that shows FAST and SLOW indications.

Visual inspection also reveals the numerical marking '400' engraved upon the mainspring barrel bridge. In addition, the museum's materials record specifies 'Materials: escape wheel: steel'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Circular brass movement layout with multiple individual finger bridges secured by blued steel screws.”
  • “Balance cock fitted with an index regulator scale showing FAST and SLOW indications.”
  • “Mainspring barrel bridge engraved with numerical marking '400'.”
  • “Materials: escape wheel: steel”

Documentation and Cataloguing Limits

The item is catalogued purely as a movement; no case, dial, or hands are described or depicted in the source documentation. The origin remains broadly given as 'French or Swiss', with no narrower geographical workshop or maker identified.

Physical dimensions and mechanical condition are not recorded in the museum's online record, which documents only the movement classification and the steel escape wheel material.

Evidence for this section
  • “type: movement - clockwork and duplex watch”
  • “Duplex, French or Swiss, early 19th century”
  • “Materials: escape wheel: steel”

Open research questions

  • What does the numerical marking '400' on the mainspring barrel bridge designate?
  • Does the dial side or pillar plate bear any concealed maker marks, Swiss or French provincial stamps, or production numbers?
  • Why does the regulator index feature English 'FAST' and 'SLOW' text on a movement catalogued as French or Swiss?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Going-barrel watch movement, with duplex escapement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Object Number1920-509“Object Number: 1920-509”
Date1801-1830“Made: 1801-1830”
OriginFrench or Swiss“Duplex, French or Swiss, early 19th century”
Escape Wheel Materialsteel“Materials: escape wheel: steel”
Provenance CreditBruno Roberts Collection“credit: Bruno Roberts Collection”
Museum CategoryTime Measurement“Category: Time Measurement”
Object Type Classificationmovement - clockwork and duplex watch“type: movement - clockwork and duplex watch”

Visible details

  • Circular brass movement layout with multiple individual finger bridges secured by blued steel screws.
  • Balance cock fitted with an index regulator scale showing FAST and SLOW indications.
  • Mainspring barrel bridge engraved with numerical marking '400'.

Research qualifications

  • The maker is not recorded in the catalogue listing.
  • Dial side, casing, and dial are not present or documented.
  • Country of manufacture is not definitively fixed between France and Switzerland.

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

Consulted source

Going-barrel watch movement, with duplex escapement | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 08f4853d0f

Terms in this record

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