theCROWNprince
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American Independent Watchmaking
Andrew H. Potter
Tourbillon Pocket Watch with Inclined Balance Wheel (circa 1857)
It is believed Andrew Potter used a Howard ebauche noted by it's distinctive patented barrel design with maintaining power invented by another famous American watchmaker - George P. Reed. This watch was formerly housed in The Time Museum in Rockford, Illinois which sadly closed in 1999.
As for inclined tourbillons, this predates Walter Prendel's work in the 1920's but has an inclined balance wheel mounted on a tourbillon carriage instead of the actual carriage being inclined. I wonder if this was inspirational for Mr. Prendel.
I seem to recall an interview with Greubel Forsey in a magazine recently where they credited this watch as inspirational in their quest but I could be wrong. I will have to look that up. Also if I recall correctly, it was incorrectly attributed to "Albert H Potter" as is often done.
Unfortunately the glass has long since been replaced with plastic. Perhaps a new glass will be fitted?
Hope you enjoy this as much as I did when I got a chance to see it
American Independent Watchmaking
Very interesting post....
Interesting tourbillon
What happened to theTime Museum...
Very interesting