theCROWNprince
53
American Independent Watchmaking
Nov 22, 2011,15:20 PM
Andrew H. Potter
Tourbillon Pocket Watch with Inclined Balance Wheel (circa 1857)
It is believed Andrew Potter used a Howard ebauche noted by it's distinctive patented barrel design with maintaining power invented by another famous American watchmaker - George P. Reed. This watch was formerly housed in The Time Museum in Rockford, Illinois which sadly closed in 1999.
As for inclined tourbillons, this predates Walter Prendel's work in the 1920's but has an inclined balance wheel mounted on a tourbillon carriage instead of the actual carriage being inclined. I wonder if this was inspirational for Mr. Prendel.
I seem to recall an interview with Greubel Forsey in a magazine recently where they credited this watch as inspirational in their quest but I could be wrong. I will have to look that up. Also if I recall correctly, it was incorrectly attributed to "Albert H Potter" as is often done.
Andrew H. Potter - case
Andrew H. Potter - dial
Andrew H. Potter - glazed cuvette
Unfortunately the glass has long since been replaced with plastic. Perhaps a new glass will be fitted?
Andrew H. Potter - movement
Hope you enjoy this as much as I did when I got a chance to see it
Comments:
view entire thread
American Independent Watchmaking
By: theCROWNprince : November 22nd, 2011-15:20
Andrew H. Potter Tourbillon Pocket Watch with Inclined Balance Wheel (circa 1857) It is believed Andrew Potter used a Howard ebauche noted by it's distinctive patented barrel design with maintaining power invented by another famous American watchmaker - G...
Very interesting post....
By: tempusfugit : November 22nd, 2011-19:02
Thanks for providing this information about an early American independent. tempusfugit
Interesting tourbillon
By: Damo : November 23rd, 2011-05:17
Do you know what happened to watch at the closure of the museum?
What happened to theTime Museum...
By: theCROWNprince : November 23rd, 2011-10:30
When The Time Museum closed most of Seth Atwood's collection, including this watch, went up for auction. However for those interested in more information on this great collection and former museum, they did publish 3 books about the collection. One was on...
Very interesting
By: DonCorson : November 23rd, 2011-11:31
This is very interesting. It looks like the escape wheel is not angled. Do you know where in the energy flow the angle is introduced? At the anchor axle? fork? and how? That looks like a potential big loss of energy if not carried out correctly. A very in...
Angle of Interest
By: theCROWNprince : November 23rd, 2011-17:37
Don, Hopefully the following picture will be helpful. The pallet fork and escape wheel are rather traditionally placed. The balance is mounted in an angled bridge. The pallet lever has long lever (compared to modern dimensions) and due to the platform sty...
