Clocktime Edward East's Miniature Rock Crystal Watch c1635, 01 Introduction
Channel: Dr John C Taylor
Date: 2024-04-09

Edward East – Miniature rock crystal-cased watch with detailed engraved dial.

Join Dr John C Taylor OBE from the Clocktime digital museum in this introduction to the Edward East Miniature Rock Crystal Watch, circa 1635.

Discover more about early and antique clocks and watches... 

https://clocktime.co.uk/artefacts/east-miniature-rock-crystal-watch


In my collection, there are many items that every time I look at them, they fill me and my heart and mind with wonder. How was this tiny watch made in the age of candles when few workmen were even able to afford spectacles? 

This watch has a gilt metal full plate movement, with four turn baluster pillars, riveted onto the frontplate and the backplate is then fixed on with four tiny, tapered pins through cross holes. In the pillars, a delicate pierced and engraved pinned on balance cock is cross pinned onto the rectangular pillar cast onto the backplate. This watch was designed 40 years or so before the spring balance was invented, probably by Robert Hook. The applied silver chapter ring is delineated with Roman hour numerals and quarter hour markings read against a blued steel single hand poker hand. The miniature mechanism encased in rock crystal. A clear quartz is at the top end of the Mohs hardness scale with only topaz, corundum and diamond being harder. Topaz and corundum were not commonly available in this period as cutting agents, so it's likely that Edward East's workmen had to use diamond, despite being almost 400 years old. The rock crystal case is perfect. It's in perfect condition without a single scratch. 

The mercury gilded brass style plate is engraved on the outer band with floral decoration and a putto's head above the 12. Here, the silver chapter ring inside has a diameter of only 11 millimetres. Within this dial plate centre is a tiny, engraved picture. In the foreground is a stream, rushes and a fence depicted. On the three-side (III) is a gnarl tree, and on the nine-side (IX) a townscape and a church. In the sky, two tiny flying doves rise soaring above the church's steeple. On the backplate, the setup wheel and the associated complex floral click and the sinuous blued steel click spring are only used once to set up the spring tension. Yet these mechanical features are designed to visually counterbalance the deeply incised signature 'Edwardus East Londini'. The use of the depth in the cut to achieve the width of the signature engraving shows the exceptional skill of the engraver. 

The faceted rock crystal case and lid are elliptical, fitted with gilt brass bezels to the body and cover engraved with tiny palm leaf motif. The clear transparent quartz is cut with radiating facets from a small dish delineated centre. How was this faceted miniature marvel made almost 400 years ago without power tools or even light beyond candles? The movement is beautifully made with the gear teeth on the four train layout having minuscule little brass wheels filed by hand from tiny cast blanks, finished with homemade files. This tiny watch speaks for itself. It's exceptional and unique.