Live Auction 1391Important Watches, including A Gentleman's Pursuit for Excellence, Part I
James McCabe. A fine and unusual 18K gold openface pocket chronometer with sugar tong compensation curb, movement made by Thomas Earnshaw
Lot 108

James McCabe. A fine and unusual 18K gold openface pocket chronometer with sugar tong compensation curb, movement made by Thomas Earnshaw

SIGNED JAMES MCCABE, ROYAL EXCHANGE, LONDON, NO. 6183, STAMPED WITH LONDON DATE LETTER FOR 1807

Closed12 November 2012

Price Realised

CHF 18,750

Considering selling a similar item?

Discover its value with a complimentary estimate from our specialists.

More Information

How to sell

James McCabe. A fine and unusual 18K gold openface pocket chronometer with sugar tong compensation curb, movement made by Thomas Earnshaw
Signed James McCabe, Royal Exchange, London, No. 6183, stamped with London date letter for 1807
Earnshaw chain fusée movement, spring detent escapement, plain three arm steel balance, blued steel spring with diamond endstone, sugar tong compensation curb, white enamel dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, plain circular outer case, case and cuvette numbered and stamped with London date letter for 1807, dial numbered, movement signed and numbered
55 mm. diam.

Specialist note

The movement of the present watch was made by Thomas Earnshaw for James McCabe. It is fitted with the typical Earnshaw spring detent escapement as well as his "sugar tong" compensation curb.

The "sugar tong" compensation curb was invented by Thomas Earnshaw and derived its name from its pincer-like appearance. This curious arrangement comprises of two arms with one pin on each. The gap between the two pins widened in cold weather and opened in hot weather.

It is generally assumed that he supplied this construction to customers needing a robust watch, hunters for example, as the more common bimetallic balances were heavier and less solid.