Watch escapements

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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.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-245-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1972.256
• Date: 1825
  
• Material: Escapement, watch
  
• 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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