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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Escapement model

Model of an English lever escapement with precision regulator by Bennett

Partially verified

This late 19th-century demonstration model of an English lever escapement is signed Bennett – 65 Cheapside, London, Clockmaker to the Royal Observatory. The source describes a circular three-quarter plate movement featuring spotted plates, screwed pillars, and a fusee with chain drive. Fitted with a right-angle pointed pallet English lever escapement, it incorporates a massive gilt balance cock, a tangent screw regulator with a silvered scale, and a plain balance with a blued spring. The movement rests on a turned ebonized circular base.

English lever escapement model by Bennett on ebonized base
English lever escapement model by Bennett on ebonized base — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Movement · Escapement model
Maker / attribution
Bennett
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1129
Source-reported date
late 19th century
Country
United Kingdom

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 Attribution

Catalogued as a late 19th-century model of an English lever escapement with an unusual precision regulator, the piece is recorded as signed 'Bennett – 65 Cheapside, London, Clockmaker to the Royal Observatory'.

The assembly is documented with a diameter of 5 5/8 inches (14.3 cm). Specific individual movement serial numbers or secondary maker marks are not recorded in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signed Bennett – 65 Cheapside, London, Clockmaker to the Royal Observatory, late 19th century”
  • “diameter 5 5/8in (14.3cm)”

Movement Architecture and Escapement

The mechanism features a circular three-quarter plate configuration with spotted plates, screwed pillars, and a fusee with chain. Visible observations confirm a gilt brass pillar framework holding an upper plate, with the fusee cone and chain positioned between the plates.

The escapement is described as a right-angle pointed pallet English lever escapement. The governing assembly includes a plain balance with a blued spring mounted beneath a massive gilt balance cock that incorporates a tangent screw regulator with a silvered scale.

Evidence for this section
  • “Circular ¾ plate movement with spotted plates, screwed pillars, fusee and chain”
  • “Gilt brass pillar framework supporting an upper plate”
  • “Fusee cone and chain visible between plates”
  • “right angle pointed pallet English lever escapement”
  • “massive gilt balance cock incorporating a tangent screw regulator with silvered scale, plain balance with blued spring”

Mounting, Features, and Condition

The movement is set on a turned ebonized base supported by small feet, and visual inspection shows a vertically mounted circular silvered regulator scale with a pointer.

The catalogue description records the base as being paired 'with glass dome', though no dome is present in the accompanying photograph. In addition, the cataloguing notes an explicit mechanical fault: '(lower pivot of staff broken)'.

Evidence for this section
  • “turned ebonized base with glass dome”
  • “Circular movement mounted on a turned ebonized wooden base supported by small feet”
  • “Vertically mounted circular silvered regulator scale with pointer”
  • “Glass dome mentioned in auction text is not present in the photograph”
  • “(lower pivot of staff broken)”

Open research questions

  • Where is the signature 'Bennett – 65 Cheapside, London, Clockmaker to the Royal Observatory' inscribed on the movement or base?
  • Was the catalogued glass dome present at the time of sale despite its absence from the lot photograph?
  • What are the precise plate and pillar dimensions separating the movement from the ebonized base?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Model of an English lever escapement with precision regulator by Bennett
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
SignatureBennett – 65 Cheapside, London, Clockmaker to the Royal Observatory“Signed Bennett – 65 Cheapside, London, Clockmaker to the Royal Observatory, late 19th century”
Movement LayoutCircular ¾ plate movement with spotted plates, screwed pillars, fusee and chain“Circular ¾ plate movement with spotted plates, screwed pillars, fusee and chain”
EscapementRight angle pointed pallet English lever escapement“right angle pointed pallet English lever escapement”
RegulatorTangent screw regulator with silvered scale“massive gilt balance cock incorporating a tangent screw regulator with silvered scale”
Diameter5 5/8 in (14.3 cm)“diameter 5 5/8in (14.3cm)”
Condition NoteLower pivot of staff broken“(lower pivot of staff broken)”
Included CoverGlass dome (recorded in catalogue description)“turned ebonized base with glass dome”

Visible details

  • Circular movement mounted on a turned ebonized wooden base supported by small feet
  • Gilt brass pillar framework supporting an upper plate
  • Fusee cone and chain visible between plates
  • Vertically mounted circular silvered regulator scale with pointer
  • Glass dome mentioned in auction text is not present in the photograph

Research qualifications

  • Source notes that the lower pivot of the staff is broken
  • Glass dome mentioned in catalogue description is absent from image

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : A fine model of an English lever escapement with unusual precision regulator Signed Bennett – 65 Cheapside, London, Clockmaker to the Royal Observatory, late 19th century

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8095c9c4d8

Terms in this record

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