---
title: Balance Spring Watch Mechanism
author: Science Museum, London
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18066/balance-spring-watch-mechanism/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-10-26
---
# Balance Spring Watch Mechanism
_Authored by Science Museum, London_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18066.png)
## Image Caption
A watch mechanism using a balance spring. Made by Thomas Tompion (1639-1713). Such watches, of which this is one of the earliest surviving, greatly improved accuracy over pendulum clocks. Made between 1675 and 1679. ([Science](https://www.worldhistory.org/science/) Museum, London)
## Cite This Work
### APA
London, S. M. (2023, October 26). Balance Spring Watch Mechanism. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
London, Science Museum,. "Balance Spring Watch Mechanism." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 26, 2023. .
### MLA
London, Science Museum,. "Balance Spring Watch Mechanism." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Oct 2023, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co33/early-balance-spring-watch-by-thomas-tompion-pocket-watch) by **Science Museum, London**. Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 26 October 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.