Antique Silver Verge Fusee Watch. Thomas Russell. England, 1818

Striking and very antique anchor-escape pocket watch signed by Thomas Russell. The watch comes from England and is dated in 1818, so we can say that it is almost 200 years old. It is in very good condition and works perfectly in spite of being such an ancient piece. The watch mounts key-wind movement with a chain inside; the movement is signed by Thos. (Thomas) Russell, Lancaster. The movement is really beautiful and has hand-engraved pieces boasting a fine floral decoration. It also bears the word PATENT into a parchment and the number 1431, together with the manufacturers signature. The watchs dial is bone-white colored, with black Roman numbers and boasting a strikingly elegant simpleness. The pear-type hands are made of golden metal. The rear cap bears some hallmarks in its inner side: one of them indicates that the casing was made in London and there is another that stands for the year (1818). We can also see the hallmark for English silver, a mark with a shield and a third one with the initials ITE. The dustcap is made of silver too and bears the same hallmarks inside. The movement is protected by a brass cap and remains in good condition. The watch comes with its original winding key. As antique as attractive, this outstanding anchor-escape Thomas Russell watch with solid-silver casing will arouse passions among the lovers of state-of-the-art antique watches. Tan antiguo como atractivo, este impresionante reloj catalino Thomas Russell con caja de plata contrastada levantará pasiones entre los amantes de los relojes de época de la mejor calidad. Measurements: Width: 53 mm.Russell Watches - History The watchmaking brand Russell started out when Mr. Thomas Russell (1780-1830), born in Eskdale (Cumberland, England) began working for William Bellman in New Broughton-in-Furness, Lancashire. Later on he went to work with William Wakefield in Market Street (Lancaster), precisely the same street where he would eventually open his own watchmakeing business. Thomas Russell had two sons; the oldest one, named Thomas after his father, had also two descendants. The oldest one, named Thomas again, had two sons too. They were all born in Lancaster. In 1840 the Russells moved to Halifax and opened a watch shop in Lord Street. The famous Russell Hunter Pocket Watch was designed, manufactured and commercialized in this workshop. For the high quality of their pieces, eventually the Russells were designed as Official Watchmakers of Queen Victoria.