Beautiful watch. I was excited to see what it was you were so excited about on Tuesday’s stream. You promised something amazing and you certainly didn’t disappoint. Wow!
Hi Kalle, by chance I started to read a book this week: Thomas Tompion his life and work from R.W.Symonds. You are really lucky. You will also see some of his in the Science Museum of London. I watched the bleak future of watchrepair and restore tonight what I took it as great news. I am practicing in the bathroom in front of the mirror like: Darling, I am early today because I quit my job to become a watchmaker! :) Take care, L
Thank you so much Kalle! Absolutely awesome and mind boggling that this could be achieved so long ago! Fascinating to see this watch, thanks again to both you and the collector for this.
Just amazing. The metalwork, finishing, and workmanship Tompion was able to achieve without any modern tooling is just incredible. I know you probably couldn't disassemble it because it's just such a priceless and irreplaceable historical artifact, but I would have loved to see the balance spring under that mind blowing gold engraving. I know just the fact you were able to handle it at all will probably give you chills for the rest of your days--you were able to caress, hold, and operate tangible horological history that imparted a blessed charm of watchmaking upon you (cue angels singing).
Went to the British science museum yesterday level two , the collection up there is next level, John arnold table waist coat , the pocket board of gear calculations he made and use , Harrisons H5 , a lot of Thomas Mudge work , George Graham , George Daniels , Breguet pieces , if you get a chance people put it on your list !!!
Fantastic! It is hard to believe that work of this caliber was being done over 300 years ago! I am so glad you brought it to our attention and congratulations to you! I am in awe!
If it was in a museum, I don' think Kalle would be able to handle it and show it to us. Private collectors have their place. Not to mention, that frequently private collectors consign items to museums. That is true for many items in our museums here in the Los Angeles area. Not to mention, that museums have many items in their basements that are not on display.
Well, I’ve watched now and it didn’t disappoint! Amazing! You are a lucky man to hold in your hands. Does he need someone to squirt a bit of oil in there🤣. Thanks for sharing with us Kalle!
Gosh How lucky to see and handle it. What an amazing craftsman His case maker was a genius too under that magnification the engraving is incredible. As you said the father of all modern Horology today and it looks brand new inside! Love how you shake it about to see the polished balance spring, wonder what its shock absorption is! To think his hand was on that piece is also quite inspiring. Shame it is in a private collection his work should be owned by us all and in a museum rather than a very lucky billionaire. Thanks so much for sharing it.
If it was in a museum, I don' think Kalle would be able to handle it and show it to us. Private collectors have their place. Not to mention, that frequently private collectors consign items to museums. That is true for many items in our museums here in the Los Angeles area. Not to mention, that museums have many items in their basements that are not on display.
I just acquired a 1700's Verge pocket watch the maker was John Edmonds #3326 , square pillars and its running very strong , from Liverpool England , however its running VERY fast , can you tell me how to adjust the regulator to slow it down ? I have other Fusee watches that are newer but this one is indeed a work of art !! It has a triple thick crystal when the light hits it looks like a triple bullseye crystal , I think it dates to the 1760s but I'll have to do more research on English hallmarks , next to the balance assembly is a dial with numbers and it looks to be adjustable with a key , is this how to adjust the speed of the movement ? At this time I wouldn't dare touching anything without consulting an expert , I'm very happy that it runs at all , it's a museum piece in remarkable condition ...A TRUE HANDCRAFTED WORK OF ART !!!
Yeah, I have 3 18th century verges. All 3 of them run crazy fast gaining 2 hours in 10 or there about when they run that long and often they don't. I am not a watchmaker, just a small collector. I have rotated the regulators all the way counter clockwise which slow them down a bit, with no appreciable improvement. Sounds like a really nice watch you have there. I would say it's best not to run it until you have a service done by someone familiar with the type.
A pocket watch was usually worn in a waistcoat pocket. You don’t “bang” or “bump” into things with your torso. It is a way safer place to store your watch (and organs) instead on your wrist.
Hello Kalle. Thanks for letting us see such a special time piece. A beautiful work of art. What a great moment for you… and us too. All the best. Simon. Falmouth. Cornwall.
Tompion did not make ugly watches. This would look 100% better if the nasty Victorian pendant and cheap bulls eye glass were replaced. The original had a small ball and ring pendant at the top. But maybe the owner is quite happy.
Beautiful. To me, Fire Gilding is an infinitely nicer method than modern plating. It’s done with gold and mercury and the mercury is burnt away leaving such a beautiful gold color and texture behind. It’s classic and a very ancient technique.
That is an amazing watch. There is a Thomas Tompion tall case clock in the restaurant at the Roman Baths in Bath, England, just ticking away. I was transfixed (in the positive sense) by it much to my wife's amusement. I have a similar watch to the one you show but made in 1775 also made in London. As you say Tompion set the design for quite a long time. It is an amazing piece of craftmanship and still works. Has quite a loud tick to it. One thing I learned just recently from RU-vid was that Harrison's H4 had a verge escapement which is amazing considering the accuracy achieved.
A real museum piece! That tight 17th century piercing! Wonderful. I can't even imagine touching a piece that Tompion made let alone holding it in my hand for any length of time.
is dit verge fusee wauw ik heb lang geleden nog wel een peter Helein mogen bewonderen met min eigen ogen dat was eenmaal in mijn leven denk ik....prachtig Kalle wauw...
And to think how this was made way back when without the use of the modern technology that we have today and for this reason is why I love to work on old pocket watches.
Fortunately i didn’t have to do any work on this masterpiece, but you are very true, for some watches you have to switch off emotion until it is finished. After that emotions will be turned on again to enjoy the end result as a watch enthusiast.
You said you had something unbelievable to show us on Thursday, and you didn't disappoint -- what an incredible timepiece! It's hard to believe something from 1690s could have such intricate craftsmanship, it's amazing just to behold it. I wonder how long Tompion took to complete a single watch, and how much it cost to have him create one (if you could convert it roughly to modern dollars). I know generally only royalty or other nobility could afford mechanical timepieces around this era, especially something this miniaturized. Either way, you can check "holding a Tompion watch" off on your bucket list now Kalle! 😁 Getting to inspect and handle such an incredible part of history up close, what a treat! Thank you for bringing us along. 🙏