John Forrest Fusee Arrival

[ianmedium]

As per usual with the wonderful Royal Mail shipping was razor fast of my Fusee from the UK to Canada. It arrived seven days after I purchased it.

 

Very very pleased with it so far. It is a hunk of a watch, 56mm across and 17mm deep and heavy. Lots of Sterling silver as it is a full hunter with cuvette. I won it for a silly price, still can't believe I got it for what I did. Perhaps the chipped sub dial, lack of glass and non functioning cover spring put people off. But the movement has been stripped, cleaned and serviced and runs like a good'un with a beautiful slow beat, much slower than my Omega.

 

It came with comprehensive instructions on winding and care and a 1 year guarantee which is amazing when you consider its 120 years old. Great seller.

 

As I look closer at the watch it is full of such pleasing details. The dial is hand painted which I was not expecting. I am guessing the railroad track is printed but you can see the brush strokes and line variation and thickness on the romans and lettering.

 

It is key wind and ket set and on following the instructions on opening I can see how the damage on the sub dial occurred at some point in its history. One opens the bezel at 6 O'clock and then pushes a tab to swing the movement out. I am betting someone used the key to do this at some point and it slipped. Anyway, that adds to the history of it, as do the minor "home made" engravings (MC you know who you are!)

 

I remember watching the wonderful Manx watchmaker Roger Smith explaining his watchmaking ethos and the reason why his watches are so three dimensional in homage to the English watch makers of old. Looking at this watch I completely understand now why he carries this on.

 

I find this a fascinating watch to hold, one can feel it tick as well as hear it. The silver warms quickly to touch and feels wonderful in the hand. I had thought of getting a glass for it, they can be had but I am rather fond of seeing the dial "naked" and there is a cover to protect it. I probably will, but not just yet.

 

This pocket watch makes you slow down. Fusee's are not known for accuracy by modern standards but I like that. Not everything has to be down to the last second or minute and this watch teaches me to slow down and be more methodical. From the winding (which is so smooth and quiet compared to my Omega) to the setting of the hands with the key.

 

It reminds me of the job I had as a child which was to go around to all the clocks in the house and wind and set them. I used to have a loop with a bunch of keys for the various clocks. I used to love that and now I am back to it with this watch.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

 

 

 

 

[autowind]

Thats a very nice pocket watch and a piece of history,  it's lucky it's gone to a good home where it will be looked after. 

[Craig]

A stunning timepiece and a great piece of history to hold in your hand.....The stories it could tell.

[ianmedium]

Thank you Craig and Autowind. It really does come down to history more than accuracy of timekeeping with these pieces I feel. Craig every time I hold any of my vintage pieces it feels like I can feel the lives who owned them before. Also with the hand engraving its like a tiny piece of the engraver has been left in posterity to remembered by future generations.

[ianmedium]

Wearing the Fusee in conjunction with the Archer again today.  I must say the more I look at the movement the more I fall in love with how these watches were made in England a century and more ago. I just know an 18th century verge will join this one one day!