Thomas Yates slow beat pocket watch

A very interesting watch, with a slow beat lever movement, made by Thomas Yates of Preston

MOVEMENT : Signed and numbered (5612). Slow beat lever fusee movement, with diamond endstone and polished gold balance wheel. The movement is protected by a 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.

One repair on the edge at 4, and some light hairlines between 12 and 1. Nice matching gold coloured hands.

CASE : Silver. Hallmarks for Chester, 1870, maker SQ (Samuel Quilliam of Liverpool), case number 18496. Gold hinges and central cartouche to the back.

In good condition, with hinges fine and bezel and back cover snapping shut correctly. The crystal is fine. One small cut mark on the bezel at 2.

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.