Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Pocket watch movement

Pocket Watch Movement by James Harrison

Partially verified

This object is a gents pocket watch movement identified by the maker James Harrison of Liverpool. The movement bears the serial number 28687. It is a key-wound mechanism featuring a lever escapement and a regulation scale marked for fast to slow adjustments. The component measures 4.8 cm in diameter and 1.5 cm in width. The associated white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock mark. The back plate and dial are inscribed with the maker's name and the movement number. This movement was acquired by the museum in 1937 via a donation from J. Ingram.

White enamel dial of the James Harrison pocket watch movement showing the subsidiary dial.
White enamel dial of the James Harrison pocket watch movement showing the subsidiary dial. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Movement · Pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
James Harrison
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 20160
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
28687

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 Construction and Features

The movement is a key-wound caliber characterized by a lever escapement. The mechanism includes a manual regulation feature with a visible scale allowing for adjustments between fast and slow timekeeping. The construction is noted as having ornate mounts.

Inscribed details on the back plate include the maker's identification as James Harrison, Liverpool, along with the serial number 28687. Additionally, the plate is marked with the words 'Detach'd' and 'Patent', referring to the technical specification of the escapement utilized in this particular watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “Key wound spring; lever escapement.”
  • “Back plate is marked 'James Harrison, Liverpool, no 28687, Detach'd, Patent'.”

Dial Configuration

The movement is presented with a white enamel dial. It features black Roman numerals to denote the hours. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position, integrated into the main enamel face.

The dial bears text corresponding to the back plate information, confirming the maker and the individual serial number of the movement. The presence of these markers on the dial aligns with the identity established by the inscriptions on the internal components.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial has black roman numerals and seconds dial at 6.”
  • “Dial is marked 'James Harrison, Liverpool, 28687'.”

Provenance and History

This movement is part of a collection donated to the museum by J. Ingram in 1937. It is one of a series of watch movements retained by Ingram Brothers jewelers during the 1930s.

During the economic instability of the 1930s, customers frequently traded in gold and silver pocket watches. To capture the intrinsic value of the precious metals, the watch cases were melted down by the jewelers. The movements, recognized for their mechanical or historical interest, were separated from the cases and preserved rather than destroyed.

Evidence for this section
  • “One of several watch movements donated by Ingram Brothers jewelers in 1937.”
  • “During the 1930s Depression, customers would bring in gold or silver fob watches to sell for the value of the gold or silver. Ingrams (and other jewelers) melted down the cases to sell the metal, but kept the movements of historically interesting watches.”

Open research questions

  • What specific patent does the 'Patent' marking on the back plate refer to?
  • Can the movement serial number be linked to a specific production date for James Harrison of Liverpool?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pocket Watch Movement by James Harrison
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJames Harrison“James Harrison”
LocationLiverpool, England“James Harrison, Liverpool”
Serial Number28687“no 28687”
Registration NumberST 20160“ST 20160”
EscapementLever“lever escapement”
Dimensions4.8 cm diameter, 1.5 cm width“1.5 cm (Width), 4.8 cm (Outside Diameter)”
Acquisition Date18 February 1937“18 Feb 1937”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Roman numerals
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position
  • Key wound mechanism
  • Regulation scale marked for fast to slow adjustment

Research qualifications

  • Original date of manufacture is not specified in the source
  • The source does not explicitly describe the material composition of the movement plates

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

Consulted source

Pocket Watch Movement - James Harrison, Liverpool

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record c270d20b5f

Terms in this record

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

Other pocket watch movement records