#393 • William B Crisp, pocket chronometer w/helical hairspring, silver, 63mm

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

High bid $850.00

Status: Available

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

EPW - William B. Crisp, London, fusee pocket chronometer with spring detent escapement and helical hairspring, 63mm, silver OF original case bearing London hallmarks for 1879, incuse "J H" marking for casemakers Joseph and James Hirst, white enamel dial, KWKS, capped detent escapement, free-sprung bi-metallic balance with four white metal timing screws, helical hairspring and diamond endstone, jeweled to the fusee, foliate scrolled balance cock with grotesque mask to its table, gilt mvt with gilt locking dust-cap, s#2/1796. Gross weight of assembled watch 146.6 dwt (227.9 g). An attractive large sized pocket chronometer. In 1874, the British Horological Institute sponsored a competition for the best essay describing the mechanism of the compensation balance and William B. Crisp won the prize of £50 for his essay on "The Compensated Balance and its Adjustment in Chronometers and Watches." CONDITION: Mvt: Running, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, short deep scratch crossing one pillar position, few mild fine to micro-fine scratches elsewhere, some mild subtle micro-fine scratch striations to main plate from past light wiping; dust-cap with scratch to its raised portion and some fine scratches elsewhere; dial with numerous scattered hls, small edge chip under bezel at 1; excellent hands, minute with areas of finish loss, hour and minute are blue, seconds-hand is plum colored; case shows little wear, an attractive patina overall patina though with a lighter colored area at rear center, no dents or dings, each hinge is missing one end-cap; bow pivots freely; good glass crystal. Estimate: $2,000 - $3,600 JH-80724