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Lot Essay
With gilt and hardstone key.
Joseph Johnson of Liverpool, England, was a highly respected and successful British master clock, watch and chronometer maker. He was a nonconformist working in Liverpool from 1795 to about 1827, with a workshop at 25 Church Street. Initially, his business traded from 26/27 Church Street and, later on, from 48/49 Church Street. His watches are of highest quality, the movements often fully jeweled and cases in precious metal. Joseph Johnson's watches were often used on U.S. railroads, prior to the establishment of the U.S. watch industry.
The movement of the present watch is distinguished by the balance stop/start feature, allowing the precise setting of the time, and the "sugar tong" style compensation curb. Invented by the celebrated watchmaker Thomas Earnshaw, it derived its name from its pincer-like appearance. This curious arrangement comprises of two arms, the gap between the two arms closed in cold weather and opened in hot weather. It is generally assumed that Earnshaw supplied this construction to customers needing a robust watch, hunters for example, as the more common bimetallic balances were heavier and less solid.
Joseph Johnson of Liverpool, England, was a highly respected and successful British master clock, watch and chronometer maker. He was a nonconformist working in Liverpool from 1795 to about 1827, with a workshop at 25 Church Street. Initially, his business traded from 26/27 Church Street and, later on, from 48/49 Church Street. His watches are of highest quality, the movements often fully jeweled and cases in precious metal. Joseph Johnson's watches were often used on U.S. railroads, prior to the establishment of the U.S. watch industry.
The movement of the present watch is distinguished by the balance stop/start feature, allowing the precise setting of the time, and the "sugar tong" style compensation curb. Invented by the celebrated watchmaker Thomas Earnshaw, it derived its name from its pincer-like appearance. This curious arrangement comprises of two arms, the gap between the two arms closed in cold weather and opened in hot weather. It is generally assumed that Earnshaw supplied this construction to customers needing a robust watch, hunters for example, as the more common bimetallic balances were heavier and less solid.