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Joseph Johnson began apprenticeship in Liverpool in the early 1800's. Joseph Johnson began his watch making models on the Massey escapement. In 1821 the Johnson's watch business operated out of Liverpool England and primarily exported their raw movements to the US market, where they were cased.

Watch is 20 Lingnes about 18 size, 17 jewels. This example sn# 7771 is a Massey II escapement made in 1824. It is Key Wind from the back and key set from the front. The pair case is stamped with a crown and 18 for 18k gold. This watch has bi-metalic balance wheel and temperature compensation curbs and has unique accuracy for the time period and was considered high end piece. The example has repair papers from Bailly, Banks & Biddle of Philadelphia, PA in the mid 1800's.

Joseph Johnson died in 1827 and his sons continued the watch firm until the middle 1800's. Most of the Joseph Johnson watch signatures are abbreviated as Josh Johnson.

Courtesy of Keith Richmond

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