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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Watchmaker's lathe

Watchmaker's lathe

Partially verified

This item is a metal watchmaker's lathe attributed to the 20th century by the source and catalogued under reference 1498387. The apparatus comprises a hand-cranked drive wheel, an articulated mounting frame with clamping hardware, and a headstock assembly fitted with a multi-step cone pulley and handwheel. Although offered alongside a collection of miscellaneous watchmaking hand tools, the seller explicitly notes that the drive belt is missing and completeness cannot be fully verified.

Full view of the metal watchmaker's lathe showing the spoked drive wheel, support arm, and stepped pulley assembly
Full view of the metal watchmaker's lathe showing the spoked drive wheel, support arm, and stepped pulley assembly — Fontan Alain Antiquités. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Tool · Watchmaker's lathe
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
1498387
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
20th century
Country
Not established

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

Physical Characteristics

The item is constructed of metal and features a dark patina. Components include a spoked hand-crank wheel connected via an articulated support arm, intended for manual drive.

The headstock assembly is equipped with a multi-step grooved pulley and adjustment levers. The configuration includes horizontal mounting bars, tightening screws, and clamping collars.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dark patinated metal construction across the frame, wheel, and spindles”
  • “Spoked hand-crank wheel connected via an articulated support arm”
  • “Multi-step grooved pulley mounted on the vertical spindle headstock with adjustment levers”
  • “Horizontal mounting bars with tightening screws and clamping collars”

Functional Status

The lathe is listed for sale in an 'as is' condition without recourse. The drive belt is missing, and the seller expresses uncertainty regarding the overall completeness of the assembly.

The lot is described alongside approximately one hundred miscellaneous hand tools, including files, dies, templates, and pliers.

Evidence for this section
  • “the lathe looks complete but the belt is missing, but maybe it is not complete”
  • “many tools, files, dies, templates, pliers, files, watchmaking tools that I do not know”
  • “SOLD AS IS WITHOUT POSSIBLE CLAIMS”

Attribution and Documentation

The source classifies the item as 20th century. No maker or specific country of manufacture is provided in the listing.

The item is catalogued under reference ID 1498387 and associated with Fontan Alain Antiquités.

Evidence for this section
  • “Period: 20th century”
  • “Reference (ID): 1498387”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer of the lathe components?
  • Does the inclusion of the 'hundred' associated tools suggest a specific original workshop context?
  • Are there any maker's marks or stamps located on the underside of the base or the interior of the spindle headstock?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watchmaker's lathe
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Period20th century“Period: 20th century”
MaterialMetal“Material: Metal”
Missing componentBelt is missing“the belt is missing”
Condition noteSold as is“SOLD AS IS WITHOUT POSSIBLE CLAIMS”
Period20th century“Period: 20th century”
MaterialMetal“Material: Metal”
Missing componentDrive belt“the belt is missing”

Visible details

  • Dark patinated metal construction across the frame, wheel, and spindles
  • Spoked hand-crank wheel connected via an articulated support arm
  • Multi-step grooved pulley mounted on the vertical spindle headstock with adjustment levers
  • Horizontal mounting bars with tightening screws and clamping collars

Research qualifications

  • Maker and specific country of manufacture are not stated in the source
  • Drive belt is absent, and full completeness of the lathe assembly is not confirmed by the seller
  • Associated tools mentioned in the listing text are not depicted in the provided image

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Watchmaker's Tower And Its Tools

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record d922eb8086

Terms in this record

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

Other watchmaker's lathe records