Antique Timepiece Drop Spindle No.249 - Mint c.1890 Swiss - Hand Carved Gold Plated Watch Dial - Free Shipping (US)

ON SALE - 20% Off - Was $210... NOW $168

Antique Timepiece Drop Spindle No.249: Rare and One-of-a-Kind - mint condition c.1890 Swiss Lever Fusee/Snap-On type Hand Carved Pocket Watch Dial

WEIGHT: 1.4 ounce (41 grams), WHORL: 2.3" (57mm) dia., SHAFT: - Smaller .105 (2.6mm) dia. Steel Shaft x 7.8" (20.8cm) long in Metallic Black Gold

Made from 80 Individual Pieces - this rare and mint condition circa 1890 Swiss Gold Plated (Over Copper) Lever Fusee Pocket Watch Dial with its ornately hand-carved lakeside village scene is the centerpiece of this spectacular drop spindle. The dial has been adorned with a period correct balance wheel and drive wheels over the second hand recess - then coated in a thick layer of epoxy resin - then mounted to a 2.3" x 1/8" acrylic disc with a recessed groove on the back-side for an antique brass plated alloy ring (for rim weight), a tarnished silver plated filigree pendant with metallic red foil inside for a pop of color to complete the whorl. The spindle whorl is finished off with a crystal spacer, gold plated and stainless steel findings, and 60 Swarovski and Preciosa Czech crystal rhinestones. The shaft is made from high carbon (spring) steel with a heat forged hook that has a 2-part powder coat paint (in black gold) finish applied for a beautiful look and feel. All components are assembled with an industrial 2-part epoxy glue.

This is a medium weight drop spindle with good rim weight and a very well balanced spin - perfect for spinning long staple and coarse fibers and art yarn, as well as plying fine singles.

FUSEE STYLE MOVEMENTS AND DIALS:  a fusee (from the French fusée, wire wound around a spindle) is a cone-shaped pulley with a helical groove around it, wound with a cord or chain which is attached to the mainspring barrel. Fusees were made throughout Europe and The US and used in portable pocket watches from the early 1600’s - early 1900’s to improve timekeeping by equalizing the uneven pull of the mainspring as it ran down. Fusee movements were eventually fazed out and by the mid 19th century; Swiss and American watchmaking industries exclusively employed the going barrel with the cylinder escapement - significantly improving timekeeping precision. England continued to make the bulkier full plate fusee watches until about 1900.

A wide variety movements were made from the ornately hand carved and pierced/filigree gilt brass movements to less decorated and utilitarian brass and nickel plated alloy movements. Dials were also made in a very wide variety of designs - including fancy silver and gold alloys with ornate carvings, full color/hand painted polychrome works of art on porcelain enamel, common white and colored porcelain enamel dials with hand painted and silkscreen printed numerals and markings, and plated base metal dials.

- FREE SHIPPING - US ONLY - This item processed and shipped within 1 business day: Applies to All US States and Select US Territories and ships via USPS 1st Class Mail. Upgraded/expedited shipping options available at check-out.

- INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AVAILABLE: I ship to 38 countries and rates are available on this page (top right).

- Hand crafted in Tucson, AZ, by John Galen Gudenkauf (owner/artist) with US and Global Materials.