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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch

Thomas Earnshaw Gilt Pair Cased Cylinder Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This early 19th-century English pocket watch was produced by London-based watchmaker Thomas Earnshaw, featuring the maker's signature 'Tho Earnshaw London' and serial number 3885 on the dial and movement. The timepiece is housed in a matched pair case of gilt metal, characterized by a rounded pendant and circular bow. The dial is constructed of white enamel with black Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. Internally, the watch utilizes a full-plate movement finished with fire gilding, incorporating a fusee and chain system. The movement includes a pierced and engraved balance cock, a silvered regulator dial, and a diamond endstone. The escapement is a steel cylinder type paired with a large steel escape wheel. A gilt dust cover with geometric cutouts protects the mechanism. The inner case features a winding aperture on the reverse.

The dial of the Thomas Earnshaw gilt pocket watch, showing Breguet-style hands and Roman numerals.
The dial of the Thomas Earnshaw gilt pocket watch, showing Breguet-style hands and Roman numerals. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Thomas Earnshaw
Reference
3885
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
early 19th century
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
3885

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

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in a pair case constructed of gilt metal. The assembly features a rounded pendant and a circular bow. The inner case is equipped with a winding aperture on the rear.

The white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals and is fitted with Breguet-style hands in gold. The matched cases exhibit a maker's mark 'JM' stamped within a rectangular frame.

Evidence for this section
  • “جفت‌قاب (Pair Cases) از جنس فلز طلااندود (Gilt Metal) بوده”
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس مینای سفید با اعداد رومی مشکی بوده و عقربه‌های ظریف طلایی با طراحی برگه (Breguet) نمایشگر زمان هستند”
  • “علامت سازنده قاب به شکل حروف «JM» در یک کادر مستطیلی حک گردیده است”

Movement and Mechanism

The full-plate movement is finished with fire gilding and driven by a fusee and chain mechanism. The balance cock is pierced and engraved, supporting a simple three-armed steel balance wheel with a blued steel hairspring. A diamond endstone is situated on the balance cock support.

A gilt dust cover, featuring geometric cutouts, allows access to the movement and visibility of the silvered regulator dial. The escapement is a polished steel cylinder type, integrated with a large steel escape wheel.

Evidence for this section
  • “مکانیزم ساعت از نوع تمام‌پلیت (Full Plate) و با طلاکاری حرارتی (Fire Gilt) همراه با سیستم فیوزه (Fusee) و زنجیر است”
  • “خروس رقاصک (Cock) قلم‌زنی و مشبک‌کاری شده را فراهم می‌آورد. بر روی تکیه‌گاه رقاصک یک سنگ الماس پایانی (Diamond endstone) قرار دارد”
  • “مهار ساعت نیز از نوع استوانه پولیش‌خورده فولادی همراه با چرخ دنگ فولادی بزرگ طراحی شده است”

Signatures and Marks

The maker's signature, reading 'Tho Earnshaw London', is present on both the dial and the underside of the movement. The serial number 3885 is engraved on the mechanism to correspond with the maker's identification.

The case components bear the manufacturer's mark 'JM' encased in a rectangular border, identifying the origin of the case hardware.

Evidence for this section
  • “بر روی صفحه و همچنین بر روی صفحه زیرین مکانیزم، امضای سازنده به صورت «Tho Earnshaw London» و شماره سریال ۳۸۸۵ ثبت شده است”
  • “علامت سازنده قاب به شکل حروف «JM» در یک کادر مستطیلی حک گردیده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific history of the case maker 'JM' associated with Thomas Earnshaw's work?
  • Can the movement serial number 3885 be dated more precisely within Earnshaw's production output?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Thomas Earnshaw Gilt Pair Cased Cylinder Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerThomas Earnshaw“توسط ساعت‌ساز نامدار Thomas Earnshaw در لندن ساخته شده است”
Serial number3885“شماره سریال ۳۸۸۵ ثبت شده است”
CountryEngland“انگلستان”
Case typePair cased“جفت‌قاب (Pair Cases)”
Movement typeFull plate, fusee and chain“از نوع تمام‌پلیت (Full Plate) و با طلاکاری حرارتی (Fire Gilt) همراه با سیستم فیوزه (Fusee) و زنجیر است”
EscapementCylinder“مهار ساعت نیز از نوع استوانه پولیش‌خورده فولادی”
SignatureTho Earnshaw London“امضای سازنده به صورت «Tho Earnshaw London»”
Case maker markJM“علامت سازنده قاب به شکل حروف «JM» در یک کادر مستطیلی”

Visible details

  • Pierced and engraved balance cock
  • White enamel dial with Roman numerals
  • Breguet-style hands
  • Silvered regulator scale

Research qualifications

  • Condition of the escape wheel teeth is unverified
  • Integrity of the fusee chain is unconfirmed

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

Consulted source

Gilt Pair Cased Cylinder by Earnshaw

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record acc4d6c181

Terms in this record

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