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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Pocket watch movement

Justin Vulliamy pocket watch movement

Partially verified

This watch movement, catalogued under accession number CIRC.122-1916 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, is a brass mechanism dating from 1780 to 1790. It was manufactured in London and is signed by Justin Vulliamy. The movement exhibits a gilded finish, which is visible on the fusee plate and balance cock. The construction includes an engraved balance cock featuring a central mask motif integrated into ornate scrollwork. A circular regulator dial with numerical markers is positioned to the left of the balance assembly, indicating the time-keeping adjustment mechanism. The signature "Justin Vulliamy / LONDON" is engraved along the edge of the fusee plate in script and block lettering. This object was acquired by the museum as a gift from Evan Roberts, Esq. The diameter of the movement is recorded as 4 cm. It serves as an example of late 18th-century English watchmaking practices.

Detailed view of the gilded brass watch movement, showing the fusee plate, balance cock with mask decoration, and the engraved signature of Justin Vulliamy.
Detailed view of the gilded brass watch movement, showing the fusee plate, balance cock with mask decoration, and the engraved signature of Justin Vulliamy. — Victoria and Albert Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Movement · Pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
Justin Vulliamy
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
CIRC.122-1916
Source-reported date
1780-1790
Source-reported place
England

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 and Construction

The movement is a brass watch mechanism of circular form with a diameter of 4 cm. The visible surface is the fusee plate, which is finished with gilding. The construction incorporates a pierced balance cock adorned with elaborate scrollwork and a centered mask.

Adjacent to the balance cock, the mechanism includes a small circular regulator disc used to adjust the timing of the watch. The disc is marked with numerals, allowing for fine-tuning of the rate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brass, English (London), 1780-1790”
  • “Diameter: 4 cm”

Signatures and Inscriptions

The maker's mark is present on the fusee plate. The engraving reads 'Justin Vulliamy / LONDON' followed by the letters 'ncc'. The inscription is executed in a script typeface for the maker's name and capitalized block letters for the location.

The letters 'ncc' follow the London location indicator. While the significance of this suffix is not explicitly defined in the source, it is clearly rendered on the plate surface alongside the primary identification of the maker.

Evidence for this section
  • “Engraved on the fusee plate: 'Justin Vulliamy / LONDON ncc'”

Provenance and Documentation

This watch movement is part of the collection held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was donated to the institution by Evan Roberts, Esq., and has been assigned the accession number CIRC.122-1916. The documentation identifies the object solely as a movement, reflecting its current status as an independent mechanical component rather than a complete timepiece.

The museum record establishes the object's origin as London and attributes the work to Justin Vulliamy. The dating of the piece to the decade between 1780 and 1790 is based on the museum's assessment of the object's characteristics. No further provenance or ownership history is provided in the available collection records.

Evidence for this section
  • “Given by Evan Roberts, Esq.”
  • “Accession number: CIRC.122-1916”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific definition of the letters 'ncc' following the location on the fusee plate?
  • Does the movement currently retain its original balance spring and wheel assembly?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Justin Vulliamy pocket watch movement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJustin Vulliamy“Justin Vulliamy / LONDON”
Date1780-1790“1780-1790”
OriginEngland (London)“English (London)”
Diameter4 cm“Diameter: 4 cm”
Accession numberCIRC.122-1916“CIRC.122-1916”
DonorEvan Roberts, Esq.“Given by Evan Roberts, Esq.”

Visible details

  • The balance cock features an engraved grotesque mask surrounded by scrollwork
  • The movement is finished in brass with gilding
  • The fusee plate displays a regulator dial with numerical indices
  • The signature is engraved in a combination of script and capital letters

Research qualifications

  • The exact function or type of escapement cannot be verified from the provided image
  • The original watch case or dial are not present with the movement

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

Consulted source

Movement

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record fd1117ce72

Terms in this record

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

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