English silver watch with rare Debaufre escapement Circa 1800

 Silver pair cased open faced key winding pocket watch
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A fine English silver pair cased pocket watch with a rare Debaufre escapement made by J. Ryland in Ormskirk, late 18th to early 19th century. The watch has a spring driven movement with a twin steel wheel Debaufre type chaff cutter escapement. It features an intricately pierced and chased balance cock decorated with floral and foliage scrollwork and a silver regulation disc. The white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals for the hours, an outer minute track, and elegant hands.
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The timepiece is housed in a smooth, plain silver outer pair case containing an antique pink watch paper from A. Litherland, Watch & Clock Maker, Moor Street, Ormskirk. This historical paper served as both a protective pad between the cases and an advertising trade card for the watchmaker. The outer case encloses a matching plain silver inner case featuring a polished reverse back cover, a sturdy suspension bow, and a smooth caseband.
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Diameter: 59 mm
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Signed: J. Ryland, Ormskirk
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James Ryland, active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was a notable English watchmaker based in Ormskirk, Lancashire. He specialized in crafting fine mechanical timepieces and became widely recognized for his high-quality full plate movements. Ryland is particularly celebrated for implementing the distinctive and rare chaff cutter, or Debaufre, escapement. This advanced dual crown wheel frictional system was widely used by local craftsmen and earned the colloquial title “Ormskirk escapement” among horologists.