Ilbery, London, Movement No. 1227 Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1795
This 18k gold pocket watch, signed by Ilbery, London, is dated circa 1795 and was produced for the Chinese market. The back lid features a polychrome enamel composition of summer flowers painted over an engine-turned translucent dark red ground, framed by red enamelled bezels with gold ornaments.
According to the auction description, the watch houses a gilt, key-wound full plate movement with verge escapement, chain and fusee, and a three-arm steel balance with a diamond endstone. The piece measures 51 mm in diameter and weighs 108 g.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Enamel pocket watch
- Escapement
- Verge escapement
- Maker's Mark
- IM
- Case Material
- 18k gold
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Movement Number
- 1227
- Maker / attribution
- William Ilbery
Design
- Visible features
- • Polychrome enamel floral painting featuring various blossoms including white, purple, yellow, and blue flowers • Engine-turned guilloché pattern visible under translucent red enamel • Outer border decorated with red enamel and gold leaf-like patterns
- Identity and Attribution
- This pocket watch, catalogued under movement number 1227, is attributed to London watchmaker William Ilbery and dated circa 1795. The cataloguer identifies it as an early gold enamel watch created for the Chinese market. It features an 18k gold case stamped with the punch mark 'IM', which the auctioneer notes as possibly representing London casemaker Jonah Mince. The cataloguer describes the movement as a classical English design, noting that the typical 'Chinese' bridge calibres had not been invented at the time and began appearing roughly 10 to 15 years later.
- Reported Movement and Dial Details
- Because only the back cover is shown in the cataloguing photograph, dial and internal movement details are known strictly from the auction description. The dial is reported as domed white enamel with radial Roman numerals and gold hands. The internal mechanism is described as a gilt, signed, keywound full-plate movement with verge escapement, chain and fusee, a three-arm steel balance, a florally engraved pierced balance cock, and a chatoned diamond endstone on the balance.
- Case Decoration and Visible Features
- Visual observation of the back lid reveals a polychrome enamel floral painting depicting white, purple, yellow, and blue blossoms set against a translucent red ground with visible engine-turned guilloché patterning beneath. An outer border displays red enamel with gold leaf-like decorative patterns. The auction cataloguer further describes the case as 18k gold with red enamelled bezels and pendant ornamented in gold, recording total case dimensions of 51 mm in diameter and a weight of 108 g.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1227
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The cuvette, dial, movement, and pendant are not visible in the provided photograph.
- Research required: Maker of the punch mark 'IM' is noted by the auction house as only possibly Jonah Mince, London.