#190 • JH Allison, Detroit, pivoted detent pocket chronometer mvt only, exceedingly rare maker

Part of 261022 - "Fall Featured Auction" Horology, Jewelry & Coins - October 1 - 22 (timed auction by Jones & Horan Auctions)

High bid $900.00

Status: Available

Live bidding starts Oct 22, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

PW mvt only - J.H. Allison, Detroit, pocket chronometer movement with pivoted detent escapement, HC model mvt, approximately 19S (45.7mm), dial is missing, SW-shifting-LS, pivoted detent escapement with detent capped on one side, 15-17J, circular pattern nickel damascene, s#25. An exceedingly rare watch made by independent watchmaker John Hammer Allison of Detroit, Michigan. Allison's total production is believed to have comprised approximately 25 watches, and examples we have encountered notably feature pivoted detent escapement - an escapement type that is a significant rarity among American made watches. The present example, serial number 25, is the highest-numbered Allison we have encountered. It also features a stem-winding and lever-setting mechanism that we have not observed on any of the five other examples known to us which are as follows - serial numbers 13, 15, 17, and 19 are key-wound and key-set; serial number 16 appears to have been originally finished as key-wound and key-set before post-production modification to a stem-winding configuration. The present example also features a smaller and different signature location than the other five pieces, presumably necessitated by the design of its stem-winding mechanism. The winding and setting mechanism of the present movement is quite interesting and visually striking, featuring a ratchet wheel with a central wolf's-tooth gear that engages a larger-diameter surrounding ring with inward-facing teeth for winding. When the setting lever is shifted, the ratchet wheel is repositioned, disengaging the winding mechanism and engaging the centrally located setting gear. Interestingly, the design and finishing of J. H. Allison's watches were largely mirrored by fellow Detroit watchmaker Charles L. Hoyt, who produced approximately 80 watches for Detroit jeweler M. S. Smith & Co. These watches for M.S. Smith & Co. featured lever escapements but were otherwise quite similar in design and execution to Allison's production. CONDITION: Mvt: Running, winding mechanism tending to disengage unless ratchet wheel is given a nudge of pressure toward plate perimeter, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some typical scattered fine to micro-fine scratches, perimeter of upper plate with some mild fingerprint type etchings at two positions, dial plate with small patch of scratching adjacent balance cock foot, hour wheel and minute wheel are missing; dial is missing; hands are missing. Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000 JH-79884