probably made in Edinburgh

Watch escapements

A watch escapement is the part of the mechanism that makes the watch work: the clockwork. These three examples, mounted on display stands, were made in 1825, probably by Robert Bryson, a watch- and clock-maker based in Edinburgh.

The escapement models - the cylindrical, the verge and the duplex - were the latest developments in watch mechanisms, at the time, and those were used as demonstrating pieces, as they are all too large to fit into a 'real' watch. They are all signed 'BRYSON/ 1825'.

These models were made for teaching purposes at the Edinburgh School of Arts. The school was the first of the Mechanics' Institutes, established by Leonard Horner (1785-1864) for the scientific instruction of artisans.

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Online ID:	000-100-104-245-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1972.256
Date:	1825
Material:
Dimensions:
What:	Escapement, watch
Subject:
Who:	R. Bryson (Maker) R. Bryson (Maker)
Where:
Event:
Description:	Three watch escapements by R. Bryson, 1825
References:	For a brief biography of Robert Bryson, see Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland.
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