Rare Rack Lever Patent Alarm pocket watch by Roskell c1849

Code: 4.108

Rare Silver Rack Lever pocket watch with patent alarm function by Roskell c1849

This is an extremely rare pocket watch made by Robert Roskell of Liverpool.

The watch has a rack lever escapement, typical of Roskell’s watches but instead of a fusee chain and cone this has a spring with no fusee. The next rare feature is that the watch has an alarm function powered by another spring. The hand for this alarm function is set by turning the cap on the stem.

In 30 years of dealing with watches I have not seen this variant before.

The case has clear hallmarks for London 1849

Movement – the gilt full plate movement has a rack lever escapement and two mainspring barrels. One to power the watch, the other to power the alarm function. The alarm has a single hand striking against the gongs on the movement. The movement is signed “Robert Roskell, Liverpool, No 22325” and is also signed “Patent 102” on the watch cock. The movement has a large diamond endstone and large Liverpool Jewels. The movement is in 90% mint condition

Case – the movement comes in a large and unusual silver open face case, which has a hinged inner, back and bezel. The case has a cap on the stem which turns the hand for the alarm on the dial. The case has case maker’s marks for RF. The case has coin edged sides and is in 80% mint condition – the coin edging is rubbed and any engine turning has worn away but this case is still in excellent condition and is not a common case

Dial – the silver dial has large rose gold numbers and a pair of rose gold hands. The dial has a blue and gold steel sub seconds hand and a blue steel alarm hand. The dial is in 90% mint condition – light scratches only

The watch has a mineral glass

The watch measures 52mm wide x 22mm deep

The watch is key wound  / key set and comes with a key