Slow beat lever by Thomas Yates, Preston

A very interesting watch, with a slow beat lever movement (10800 beats per hour), made by Thomas Yates of Preston

MOVEMENT : Signed and numbered (6227). Slow beat lever fusee movement, with diamond endstone and polished gold balance wheel. The movement is protected by removable gilt dustcap.

Very good condition throughout.

The slow beat is achieved by the unusual train counts and a heavy balance wheel.

DIAL : Cream enamel dial, signed, with subsidiary seconds dial.

Two repairs around the edge, at 2 and 6, but otherwise very good. Nice matching gold coloured hands.

CASE : Silver. Hallmarks for Chester, 1873, maker SQ (Samuel Quilliam of Liverpool), case number 20216. Gold hinges and central cartouche (worn) to the back.

In reasonable condition, with wear to the engraving and a few small dents on the back. The pin in the front gold hinge is broken, but the bezel snaps shut nicely. The crystal is fine.

Thomas William Yates patented a variety of slow beat watches between about 1846 and 1880, with beat speeds ranging from 7200 to 11200.  This example has 10800 beats per hour.  The slower speeds tend to be earlier.

The case maker, Samuel Quilliam, was commonly used by Yates.