Rare Massey type 4 fusee lever in a silver case Circa 1888

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A rare Massey type 4 fusee lever in a silver open face case, hallmarked Chester circa 1888. Full plate gilt keywind fusee movement with Harrison’s maintaining power. Engraved cock with diamond endstone and polished steel Bosley regulator. Very large slow beating plain three-arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Rare type four Massey lever escapement, the lever with three slots to allow the balance to rotate more than 360 degrees. Gilt escape wheel with raised teeth. Signed three-piece white enamel dial, the center and subsidiary seconds fully restored, Roman numerals, blue steel seconds hand, gilt hands. Substantial plain silver open face case with ribbed middle vacant shield-shaped cartouche on the back. Gold hinges. Maker’s mark ‘JH’ in a rectangle and number corresponding to that on the movement.

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Diameter: 60 mm
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Signed: R. Swales Preston

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By far the most uncommon and most distinct of the Massey levers with its large slow beating balance.  See ‘The fusee lever watch’ by Dr. Robert Kemp.