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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Watchmaker's lathe

Lorch Watchmaker's Lathe

Partially verified

This Lorch watchmaker's lathe, catalogued with German origin, comprises a steel bed plate supported on two circular flared mounting plates. The bed mounts a pulley-driven headstock with a stepped cone pulley, an adjustable tool rest, a tailstock, and a compound slide fitted with brass-colored fine-adjustment knobs. The source records an overall length of 16 inches. As stated in the auction catalogue description, the loose accessories visible in the foreground resting on the table belong to a different lot rather than this tool.

Lorch watchmaker's lathe with compound slide, tailstock, and headstock on steel bed
Lorch watchmaker's lathe with compound slide, tailstock, and headstock on steel bed — Bonhams Skinner. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bidsquare.com
Category
Tool · Watchmaker's lathe
Maker / attribution
Lorch
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
279
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
Germany

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 Configuration

Catalogued as a Lorch watchmaker's lathe originating from Germany, the machine is constructed with a steel bed plate resting on two circular mounting plates. The catalogued overall length is 16 inches.

The assembly includes a pulley-driven head stock, an adjustable tool rest, a tail stock, and a compound slide fitted with fine adjustment knobs.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lorch Watchmaker's Lathe, Germany, steel bed plate”
  • “pulley-driven head stock, adjustable tool rest, tail stock, and a compound slide with fine adjustment knobs, resting on two circular mounting plates, lg. 16 in.”

Visual Tool Components

Direct visual observation shows the lathe bed supported by two circular flared pedestal feet drilled for mounting. The headstock is equipped with a multi-step cone pulley and a rear drawbar wheel.

Positioned on the bed opposite the headstock is a tailstock, along with a compound cross-slide featuring brass-toned micrometer adjustment collars and handles.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lathe bed mounted atop two circular flared pedestal feet with drillings for mounting”
  • “Headstock equipped with a multi-step cone pulley and rear drawbar wheel”
  • “Tailstock mounted opposite headstock on the profiled steel bed”
  • “Compound cross-slide mounted along the bed with brass-toned micrometer adjustment collars and handles”

Lot Scope and Documentation Limitations

The auction catalogue explicitly notes that loose accessories visible on the table in the lot photography are associated with lot 278 rather than lot 279.

The documentation does not record a manufacturing date, model designation, serial number, or collet specifications. In addition, the operational condition and mechanical tolerances are not detailed in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Please note that the accessories shown on the table in the photo go with lot 278, not 279.”
  • “The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear”

Open research questions

  • Does the lathe bed, headstock, or tailstock bear a stamped serial number or specific Lorch model mark?
  • What collet size and thread standard (such as 6 mm or 8 mm) are accommodated by the headstock spindle?
  • Which exact components mounted on the bed are included in lot 279 versus the separated accessories from lot 278?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lorch Watchmaker's Lathe
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLorch“Lorch Watchmaker's Lathe”
Country of originGermany“Germany”
Bed plate materialSteel“steel bed plate”
Drive assemblyPulley-driven head stock“pulley-driven head stock”
Slide mechanismCompound slide with fine adjustment knobs“compound slide with fine adjustment knobs”
Overall length16 in.“lg. 16 in.”
Included toolingAdjustable tool rest“adjustable tool rest”
Mounting baseTwo circular mounting plates“resting on two circular mounting plates”

Visible details

  • Lathe bed mounted atop two circular flared pedestal feet with drillings for mounting
  • Headstock equipped with a multi-step cone pulley and rear drawbar wheel
  • Compound cross-slide mounted along the bed with brass-toned micrometer adjustment collars and handles
  • Tailstock mounted opposite headstock on the profiled steel bed
  • Assorted loose accessories and rests displayed in the foreground

Research qualifications

  • Source notes explicitly state that the loose accessories shown on the table go with lot 278, not lot 279
  • Manufacturing date is not specified by the source

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

Consulted source

Lorch Watchmaker's Lathe sold at auction on 29th April | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9669f866b5

Terms in this record

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

Other watchmaker's lathe records