A Fine & Rare Second Quarter of the 19th Century Epicyclic Skeleton Timepiece

W. Wigston & W. Strutt Esqr. Invt., Derby, The scroll frame with chamfered edges mounted on the oval base with applied signature plate, the timepiece secured by two bifurcated brackets, mounted on a lined wooden plinth with glass dome, the 6.5 inch skeletonized Arabic dial with spear hands and an outer dotted minute band, the single fusee movement wound from the rear, with half deadbeat escapement and epicyclic gearing, made by William Wigston to a design by William Strutt, comprising an outer annulas ring containing an off set counter balanced planet wheel, engaging with the two central solar wheels via an eight tooth pinion.

Literature: F.B. Royer-Collard in his book "Skeleton Clocks", NAG Press Ltd, 1969, relates that the unusual design of the gearing was based on the epicyclic gears from steam engines, which allowed for simultaneous gearing up of the escape wheel and gearing down of the hour wheel. It is believed that because of the complexity of the design only 20 were made.