Thomas Mudge (horologist)

Thomas Mudge (* 1715 in Exeter, † 1794) was an English watchmaker and inventor of the free escapement.

Thomas Mudge was born in 1715 as the son of the priest Zachariah Mudge. At the age of 14 he took up an apprenticeship with the famous George Graham. After Graham's death, he took over the business in Fleet Street 148 in London. In 1757 he invented a lever escapement, with the majority of the mechanical watches is equipped today. He finished an anchor pocket for Queen Charlotte. He was one of the first that left several jewel bearings in watches. From 1771 on, he worked on the development of the chronometer courses which he improved. He made a marine chronometer to which he submitted to the authorities in 1774 and was awarded a prize of 3,000 British pounds awarded. Mudge also worked for King George III. of England (1776 ). He founded with Dutton in 1755 a partnership. 1771 he went to Plymouth. His William Dutton jointly held company in London was from 1755 to 1790, so assume that is that he retired to Plymouth, in order to dedicate more of the research can; for at that time he worked on the Seechronometern, and in a port city like Plymouth he could certainly try them. He has distinguished himself as a writer on art and pocket watches to him by saying that he already has a 1750 pocket watch with minute repeater produced.