No.173 - Antique Timepiece Support Spindle - Tibetan Size - Circa 1840 Watch Movement by J. Maston of London - Free Shipping (US Only)

Antique Timepiece Support Spindle No.173
Steampunk Design - One-of-a-Kind - Larger Tibetan Style/Size
Circa 1840 Verge Fusee Pocket Watch Movement (Upper Plate) by J. Maston of London & circa 1860 Brass Dust Cover and Vintage Clock Gear Whorl - Ships for Free (US Only)

WEIGHT: 2.1oz. (62g), WHORL: 1.65” (42mm) diameter, SHAFT: - this is the Larger of the 2 that I make = .138" (3.5mm) dia. x 8.3" (21.1cm) length in Metallic Champagne
- NO-HOOK OPTION: Choose at drop down when ordering - may remove up to 1/2" of total length

A new design for me and one that has a perfectly balanced and long spin, and is (in my opinion) absolutely amazing! The centerpiece of this one is a gorgeous example of 180 year old early Victorian period craftsmanship in the form of a complete upper plate from a Verge Fusee pocket watch movement John Maston of London, England - around the year 1840. It is complete with its ornately carved balance cock (part that covers and acts as a pivot for the balance wheel), regulator, original screws, and watchmaker's signature. The plate has been fully disassembled and parts beneath removed for a flat mounting surface and is lathe polished to bring out the shine and better reveal the details. The plate was reassembled, crystals added, emerald green foil added under the balance cock, and coated in a thick layer of epoxy resin for a no snag/long life finish.

NEW DESIGN WHORL: This is a first for me and utilizes a part of the movement that I thought previously unusable - the DUST COVER that is found inside the watch case covering the movement to keep from damaging it during key winding (before stem wind became the norm). This piece has the catch removed, is lathe polished, and has a milled acrylic disc press fit inside to allow for center drilling and attachment to the shaft. It is laminated to the movement plate and mounted onto the steel shaft. ADDITIONAL PARTS include an additional acrylic disc, watch gear and spring lever, a large brass vintage clock wheel, and silver plated findings - all mounted to a spring steel shaft with a heat forged hook - professionally powder-coat painted in metallic champagne. All components are assembled with an industrial 2-part epoxy adhesive.

HISTORY - FUSEE STYLE MOVEMENTS AND DIALS: a fusee (from the French fusée, wire wound around a spindle) is a cone-shaped pulley with a helical groove around it, wound with a cord or chain which is attached to the mainspring barrel. Fusees were made throughout Europe and The US and used in portable pocket watches from the early 1600’s - early 1900’s to improve timekeeping by equalizing the uneven pull of the mainspring as it ran down. Fusee movements were eventually fazed out and by the mid 19th century; Swiss and American watchmaking industries exclusively employed the going barrel with the cylinder escapement - significantly improving timekeeping precision. England continued to make the bulkier full plate fusee watches until about 1900.

A wide variety movements were made from the ornately hand carved and pierced/filigree gilt brass movements to less decorated and utilitarian brass and nickel plated alloy movements. Dials were also made in a very wide variety of designs - including fancy silver and gold alloys with ornate carvings, full color/hand painted polychrome works of art on porcelain enamel, common white and colored porcelain enamel dials with hand painted and silkscreen printed numerals and markings, and plated base metal dials.

FREE SHIPPING Applies to All US States and Select US Territories Only: In-stock orders typically ship in 1 business day. Out-of-stock/custom orders typically ship within 10 business days. Ships via USPS-FIRST CLASS MAIL. Please allow 2 to 5 days for transit time (ships from Tucson, AZ).

INTERNATIONAL & UPGRADED SHIPPING AVAILABLE: Customer pays 100% of shipping charges for these options.

All John Galen spindles are designed and hand-crafted by John Galen Gudenkauf (owner/artist) in Tucson, AZ. Made in USA from US and Global Materials