Triple Case Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch by James Chambon
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1699, 1704, or 1713
This English pocket watch by James Chambon of London is a quarter-repeater housed within a triple-cased configuration. The internal watch movement is a full-plate, fire-gilt construction featuring fusee and chain transmission, baluster pillars, and a verge escapement.
It is signed and includes a silver dust cover with a blue steel S-shaped lock. The repeater mechanism is activated by pressing the pendant, utilizing two steel hammers that strike a bell housed inside the case. The white enamel dial displays both Roman and Arabic numerals, equipped with beetle and serpentine poker-style blued steel hands. The housing comprises an inner gold case, a second case featuring repoussé decoration with four half-length figures, and a protective third outer case made of gilt metal covered in black leather.
It measures 56mm in diameter and 20mm in depth.
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
- Repeating watch
- Maker
- James Chambon London
- Case type
- Triple case (gold inner and second cases, leather-covered outer case)
- Mechanism
- Quarter-repeating with two hammers
- Dimensions
- 56mm diameter, 20mm depth
- Hallmark date
- Uncertain, likely 1699, 1704, or 1713
- Movement type
- Fire-gilt full-plate with fusee and chain
- Place recorded
- England
- Dealer reference
- A11132
- Maker / attribution
- James Chambon
Design
- Visible features
- • The outer leather-covered case features a central gilt disc for regulation adjustment. • The second case exhibits extensive scrollwork, bird motifs, and repoussé figures. • The dial includes an outer ring of Arabic numerals for minutes and an inner ring of Roman numerals for hours. • The pendant features a textured, rope-pattern loop.
- Dial and Attribution
- The dial is crafted from white enamel and features a dual-register system, displaying hours with Roman numerals and minutes with Arabic numerals. The display is completed by a pair of blued steel hands, styled in the characteristic 'beetle and serpentine poker' configuration. This design was common during the early eighteenth century, to which period this object is attributed. The watch is signed 'James Chambon London', though specific historical records regarding this maker or the case-maker (marked 'PR') have not been located by the source. Because the hallmark date letters are not clearly legible, the dating of 1713 mentioned in some contexts is considered speculative by the source, which notes that 1699 or 1704 are also possibilities. The object serves as an example of early English repeating timekeepers.
- Movement and Repeater Mechanism
- The watch is powered by a full-plate movement finished with fire-gilding. The power is transmitted via a traditional fusee and chain arrangement, supported by baluster-shaped pillars. The timekeeping is controlled by a verge escapement, featuring a simple three-arm steel balance and a blued steel spiral hairspring. Access to the movement is protected by a signed silver dust cover, which is secured by a blued steel S-shaped lock. The quarter-repeating mechanism is operated via the pendant. When the pendant is depressed, two steel hammers strike a bell positioned inside the case to audibly signal the time. The movement also includes an externally visible regulation disc, allowing for manual adjustment of the watch's rate.
- Case Construction and Decoration
- The internal assembly consists of an inner gold case and a second gold case, both of which are reported to be 22-carat gold, although they are not solid. The exterior of the second case is heavily decorated with repoussé work, incorporating elaborate scrollwork, bird motifs, and ornamental masks. Four half-length figures are integrated into the repoussé design around the perimeter. A third outer case provides a final layer of protection, constructed from gilt metal and finished with a black leather covering. This outer shell includes a small central aperture for accessing the movement's regulation disc without removing the watch from its casing. The overall dimensions of this assembly are 56mm in diameter and 20mm in depth.
Identification
- Serial number
- A11132
- 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 exact date of manufacture remains uncertain due to unclear hallmark date letters, with the source suggesting 1699, 1704, or 1713.
- Research required: The provenance and service history of the movement, along with the potential presence of replaced components, are not documented in the provided information.