Silver English lever with Burdess patent winding Circa 1881

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An English lever with Burdess patent winding in a silver open faced case, hallmarked Chester circa 1881. Full plate gilt movement with dust ring hinging from the case. Fusee and chain with Harrison’s maintaining power. Engraved gilt cock with garnet end stone, blue steel Boselyregulator. Compensation balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. English table roller lever. The winding lever protrudes through the inner dome of the case, engaging a ratchet mounted on the fusee square via a sprung pawl. The watch is wound by moving this lever backwards and forwards. The hands set by moving a wheel at the edge of the dial. White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, blue steel hands. Engine turned silver open faced case with ribbed middle. The back cover which is decorated with a vacant cartouche set within a circle is opened by depressing a button in the pendant. Maker’s mark ‘EH’ and number corresponding to that on the movement.

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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: A. Burdess Patent Coventry

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An excellent early example of one of these patent keyless English lever watches which have become scarce in recent years. Adam Burdess took out his patent only a year before this watch was made. See the Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches page 245, hallmarked 1875.