Movement · Duplex fusee pocket watch movement

W & I Baird English Duplex Fusee Pocket Watch Movement

Partially verified

This English full-plate fusee movement, catalogued to circa 1835, features a duplex escapement with a brass escape wheel and an oversized compensated balance wheel with timing screws beneath a raised diamond endstone setting. The movement is signed 'W & I Baird, London, No 3006' across the gilt plate and reported to repeat this signature on an accompanying off-white enamel dial. The balance cock is ornately engraved with foliate patterns and a grotesque face mask above a calibrated 'Slow / Fast' regulation index. The uncased movement measures 47.4 mm in diameter by 12.4 mm deep and is key wound and key set.

Top-plate view of the W & I Baird duplex fusee movement showing the large balance, diamond endstone, and grotesque face engraving — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.antiquesboutique.com
Category: Movement · Duplex fusee pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution: W & I Baird
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: ME31 (AB-147572)
Source-reported date: c. 1835
Country: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 3006

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

Top-Plate Engraving and Visual Attributes

The movement features a gilt full plate visibly engraved with the maker's signature and location in script, reading alongside the serial identification 'No 3006'. A curved regulation index calibrated between 'Slow' and 'Fast' is located adjacent to the balance assembly. The balance cock is decorated with scrolled engraving that incorporates a grotesque face motif at its base.

A raised diamond endstone is positioned atop the balance cock near blued steel screws. A split compensated balance wheel fitted with perimeter timing screws and weights operates beneath the cock. The top plate also shows access for the winding arbor and key-set arbor.

Evidence for this section

“Gilt full plate visibly engraved with 'No 3006', maker signature in flowing script, and a curved 'Slow / Fast' regulation scale.”
“Grotesque face mask motif engraved centrally on the neck of the balance cock.”
“Oversized compensated split balance wheel fitted with timing screws and weights.”

Reported Mechanism and Escapement Configuration

The dealer listing describes the mechanism as a gilt full-plate fusee movement having a 'Duplex lever escapement with a brass ‘scape wheel'. It is documented as featuring a compensated balance characterized by the seller as 'much larger than normal', accompanied by a large diamond endstone.

The movement is recorded as key wound and key set. The seller states that the movement 'has a good balance and chain and will tick', though performance and internal condition claims from listings are not independently verified.

Evidence for this section

“the gilt full plate fusee movement has a Duplex lever escapement with a brass ‘scape wheel”
“much larger than normal, compensated balance with a large diamond endstone.”
“The movement is key wound / key set”
“This pocket watch has a good balance and chain and will tick.”

Catalogued Accessories and Dimensions

The listing records the uncased movement dimensions as 47.4 mm in diameter by 12.4 mm in depth. No outer pocket watch case is present or described.

The seller describes an off-white enamel dial without hands, signed 'W & I Baird, London, No 3006', reported to have a hairline in the centre and another on the edge from 11 to 9. Additionally, an 'original gilt dust cap with a large aperture' is recorded. However, neither the dial nor the dust cap is visible in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section

“The movement measures 47.4mm x 12.4mm”
“the off white enamel dial has no hands, is signed “W & I Baird, London, No 3006” and is in 85% mint condition – a hairline in the centre and one on the edge from he 11 to 9”
“The movement has its original gilt dust cap with a large aperture showing the large balance.”

Open research questions

What specific escapement architecture is fitted under the top plate, given the source listing's hybrid phrasing of 'Duplex lever escapement'?
Do records for W & I Baird in London document movement number 3006 around the stated circa 1835 date?
How does the unphotographed gilt dust cap attach to the movement pillars, and is it marked with matching serial numbers?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for W & I Baird English Duplex Fusee Pocket Watch Movement
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker signature	W & I Baird, London, No 3006	“The movement is signed “W & I Baird, London, N0 3006”.”
Escapement	Duplex lever escapement with brass escape wheel	“the gilt full plate fusee movement has a Duplex lever escapement with a brass ‘scape wheel”
Dimensions	47.4mm x 12.4mm	“The movement measures 47.4mm x 12.4mm”
Winding and setting	Key wound / key set	“The movement is key wound / key set”
Watchcock decoration	Engraved grotesque face	“The movement is decorated with an engraved grotesque face on the base of the watchcock.”
Dust cap	Gilt dust cap with large balance aperture	“The movement has its original gilt dust cap with a large aperture showing the large balance.”
Listing period classification	Georgian (1714 to 1837)	“Period Georgian (1714 to 1837)”
Dealer item code	ME31 (AB-147572)	“Code ME31 (AB-147572)”

Visible details

Gilt full plate visibly engraved with 'No 3006', maker signature in flowing script, and a curved 'Slow / Fast' regulation scale.
Oversized compensated split balance wheel fitted with timing screws and weights.
Engraved balance cock terminating in a raised diamond endstone setting secured near blued steel screws.
Winding arbor and square key-set arbor access visible on the top plate.
Grotesque face mask motif engraved centrally on the neck of the balance cock.

Research qualifications

The dealer listing describes a 'Duplex lever escapement', which conflates duplex and lever escapement types, though duplex escapement with brass escape wheel is the primary description.
The accompanying off-white enamel dial and gilt dust cap noted in the source listing text are not depicted in the provided photograph.
Uncased movement lacking its pocket watch case.

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

Consulted source

English DUPLEX fusee movement with large balance, Baird c1835 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e00504e979

Terms in this record

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