107th Auction

2022/11/19

Lot 44

Anonymous

An attractive pair-cased Liverpool pocket watch with rack lever escapement according to the patent of Peter Litherland (1756-1805)

Sold

estimated
1.8003.500 €
Price realized
3.800 €
specific features
Case
Outer case - 18 K rose gold, polished, case maker's punch mark "SB". Outer case - 18 K rose gold, polished, case maker's punch mark "SB", movement protection cap.
Dial
Enamel.
Movement
Full plate movement, keywind, chain/fusee, three-arm steel balance.
Diam.57 mm
Circa1886
Ctry.England
Wt.155 g


Peter Litherland was a watchmaker and inventor. He was born in Warrington and later moved to Liverpool, which was then the centre of the watchmaking trade. In 1791 he patented the rack lever escapement for watches, which was more accurate than the commonly used verge escapement. One of his watches is in display in the World Museum Liverpool.