Unsigned English pair-cased quarter-striking clock watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1790
This unsigned English pocket clock watch dates to circa 1790 and is described by the cataloguer as made for the Oriental market. Housed in a gilt-metal pair case pierced and engraved with foliage, the watch features a 36.7 mm double-train movement.
According to the source, the hinged gilt brass full-plate caliber incorporates cylindrical pillars, a fusee with chain, and a duplex escapement with a brass escape wheel, plain steel balance, and diamond endstone. It includes quarter striking on a bell with two hammers, alongside a strike/silent control and stop feature. The white enamel dial displays Roman hour numerals and gold skeletonised hands.
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
- Verge & pair-cased watch
- Market
- Oriental market
- Diameter
- 51 mm
- Escapement
- Duplex escapement
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Case construction
- Pair-cased in gilt metal
- Striking mechanism
- Striking on a bell with two hammers
Design
- Visible features
- • Pierced and engraved gilt bezel displaying foliate motifs • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and five-minute Arabic divisions • Gold openwork spade and poker hands with a central seconds hand • Gilt bow and pendant positioned at 12 o'clock
- Case Construction
- The watch is housed in a gilt-metal pair case. The outer two-body case is pierced and engraved with foliage, with a plain central reserve on the back. The inner case is decorated in a similar manner. A gilt bow and pendant are positioned at 12 o'clock.
- Movement and Mechanism
- The movement is a 36.7 mm hinged gilt brass full-plate caliber featuring cylindrical pillars and a two-train design with a fusee and chain. The mechanism utilizes a duplex escapement with a brass escape wheel, a plain steel balance, and a single-footed cock engraved in a geometrical pattern with a diamond endstone. The watch includes a quarter-striking mechanism operating on a bell with two hammers, a strike/silent lever at 9 o'clock, and a stop watch lever at 4 o'clock.
- Dial and Visual Features
- The white enamel dial displays a Roman hour chapter, with outer minute and seconds divisions featuring five-minute Arabic numerals. The time is displayed via gold skeletonised 'spade and poker' hands.
- Provenance and Attribution
- The watch is unsigned. It is attributed to the English market, circa 1790, and stated by the cataloguer to have been made for the Oriental market. The item is noted to have been published in the Sandberg book, pages 264-265.
Identification
- 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: Movement and case back are not visible in the provided image
- Research required: Maker is unsigned
- Research required: Internal mechanisms, movement diameter, and provenance rely on auction catalogue descriptions