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Historical, Running Colonial Era American Verge Fusee, BILLON Philadelphia c1796

Estimated price for orientation: 3 750 $

Category: Antique
Class:











Description
Condition: Pre-owned: An item that has been used or worn previously. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Escapement Type: Verge
Year of Manufacture: Pre-1800 Features: Fusee
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States


You are looking at a rare Running Verge Fusee Pocket Watch made by Charles Billon of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA.
He is listed in Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the world by Baillie on page 28. The listing says Billon - Charles & Co. Philadelphia. 1796, and Charles, Philadelphia 1802-19. On the internet I was able to locate a listing in the 1798 City Directory of Philadelphia the name Billon, C. Watch & Jewelry Maker 45 South Third Street Philadelphia, PA. Clearly Charles Billon was making high quality watches in the late 1700's. The watch is a calendar movement watch and the works were cleaned and serviced by an expert Watchmaker for me at a cost of $550. The watch is running and the calendar is working, although I do not warrant continued service as I am unable to fix such watches.
Keywind and Keyset, key is included. Beautiful Diamond Endstone.
 
Nice original style glass Bullseye Crystal. Original Silver Pair Case in good working condition. The inner case has what I believe to be "hallmarks" that were applied in Philadelphia at the time the watch was made. They do not help to determine the date of manufacture. This was common on early english style colonial watches. The outer case has only a number (see pics). It is my opinion that the stem was replaced at some point in the 200 year history of this watch. Size is approximately 2.5inches left to right on outer case.
I believe all 3 hands to be original 18K solid gold.
12 hour dial is also marked with an outer ring of 60 minutes and an inner ring for a 31 day calendar. The dial has gold quatrefoils on the date and second registers. Original dial is in remarkable condition. Script Billon and PHILADELPHIA. 
The movement is covered by a hinged dust cover marked with a script  Billon and PHILADELPHIA, just like the dial (see photo with balance in motion). The movement itself is heavily engraved as is the cock.As if being from Philadelphia in the late 1700's to early 1800's isn't historical enough, inside the outer case is a repair paper marked SAM.L SIMPSON Watch & Clock Maker, Clarksville TENNESSEE. The back of the repair paper has written on it in faded ink script April 9th 1841. This watch started out in Philadelphia and seems to have gone West in the early 1800's where it was serviced in Clarksville Tennessee in 1841.
Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.
If for some reason you are not satisfied, please contact me upon receipt, and we will arrange for return if needed.
Shipping will be $57.00, which includes $49.15 for insurance to the USA.  International Buyers must contact me for shipping costs, before bidding, I will charge actual cost.