Pieces of Time
Full text of Winter 1999 - Catalogue 53
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| Rare Small Gold German Stackfreed |
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A very rare late 16th Century small oval German stackfreed in a plain gold case. Deep oval fire gilt movement with three turned baluster pillars. Open mainspring attached at its outer end to one pillar and covered on one side by a semi-circular plain gilt shield. Eight leaf blue steel pinion driving the gilt wheel carrying the cam for the stackfreed. Blue steel “C” shaped stackfreed spring with blue steel roller.
Plain pierced cock secured by a screw. Small blue steel two arm balance, sliding bristle regulator. Substantial gilt potence to the escape pinion, three wheel train, gilt wheels, steel five leaf pinions. Later gilt dial plate and silver chapter with Roman numerals, later blue steel hand. Plain small gold oval case, plain hinged lid. Later gilt pendant and ring bow.
Anonymous German
Circa 1580
Dimensions 42 x 30 x 22 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good, some lead solder.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
Stackfreed watches are very rare. This is a particularly small example which has survived remarkably well. Only the dial and dial plate may have been replaced. However it is possible they are original but refinished due to a change in fashion. A very similar watch is in the Gschwind collection and is illustrated in the Dr. Geshwind’s publication “Stackfreed 1540 - 1640”, watch no.7.
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| Silver and Tortoiseshell Sun and Moon Verge |
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A fine late 17th Century English verge with silver champleve Sun and Moon dial in decorative silver and tortoiseshell pair cases. Deep full plate fire gilt movement, decorative tulip pillars. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Pierced and engraved cock , vestigial wings, the pierced and engraved foot with irregular edge. Plain steel balance, silver regulator disc. Fine silver champleve dial, the signature in
an oval flanked by two birds and a winged mask below, blue steel poker hand. Arabic numerals for the minutes, the hours indicated by a blue steel disc which rotates once every 24 hours. This is viewed through a semi-circular aperture and is inset with a gold engraved sun on one half and on the other a silver moon and stars. At the edge of the semi-circle the hours are marked from six through twelve and back to six in Roman numerals. As the sun disappears at the right of the aperture the moon appears at the left. Silver inner
case, split bezel, silver ring pendant and bow, maker's mark “VB”. The outer covered in red tortoiseshell richly decorated with silver pins and overlaid by an engraved and pierced silver mask depicting two birds in foliage.
Signed __________Smith London
Circa 1685
Diameter 54 mm - Depth 18 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent apart from a small crack in the tortoiseshell and the engraving rubbed.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
A fine example of an early balance spring watch in excellent overall condition. See Pocket Watches by Reinhard Meis page 98 for similar watches.
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| Early English Sun and Moon Verge |
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A late 17th Century English verge with silver champleve Sun and Moon dial in silver consular case. Deep full plate fire gilt movement with Egyptian pillars. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Pierced and engraved winged cock the table decorated with a mask and birds, broad pierced and engraved foot. Plain steel balance, silver regulator disc. Silver champleve dial, decorative birds
flanking the signature, Arabic numerals for the minutes, later blue steel beetle hand. The hours are indicated by a waxed champleve silver and silver gilt disc which rotates once every 24 hours. This is viewed through a semi-circular aperture and has engraved on one half the gilt sun and on the other the moon. At the edge of the semi-circle the hours are marked from six through twelve and back to six in Roman numerals. As the sun disappears at the right of the aperture the moon appears at the left. Purpose made silver consular case,
Edinburgh hallmark for 1790, maker's mark “AM” in a rectangle, circular silver shutter to the winding aperture.
Signed __________Jon Williamson
Circa 1695
Diameter 56 mm - Depth 19.5 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Very good.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent but one wing lacking from the cock.
See Pocket Watches by Reinhard Meis page 98 for similar watches.
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| Silver Pair Cased Irish Verge |
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A late 18th Century Irish verge with interesting history in silver pair cases. Full plate fire gilt movement with round pillars. Pierced and engraved masked cock, silver regulator disc. Plain three arm steel balance, blue steel spiral hairspring. White enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, blue steel beetle and poker hands. Plain silver pair cases, a hand written paper in the outer case giving the history of the watch. “This
watch belonged to David Bigger of the Trench & High St. Belfast (died 1818) & was taken to Australia by his daughter Jane Ewing in 1850 and returned to his grandson F J B in 1898 - see name inside case - ”.
Signed __________Dav Bigger Belfast
Circa 1780
Diameter 50 mm - Depth 13.5 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
The paper in the back of the watch provides extra interest to this Irish verge. The case contains no maker’s mark or hallmark. It is of heavier gauge than normal and appears to be of Britannia standard silver. Its construction is also a little different to English cases suggesting the watch is of local manufacture rather than an English import.
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| Silver Pair Cased Verge with Owner’s Name |
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A late 18th Century English verge, the owner’s name replacing the numerals in silver pair cases. Full plate fire gilt movement with silver dust cover. Pierced and engraved cock, silver regulator disc. Plain three arm steel balance, blue steel spiral hairspring. Domed white enamel dial, the numerals replaced by the original owners name “James Courtney”, gold hands. Matching silver pair cases, silver pendant and bow, maker’s mark
“WD” and number corresponding to that on the movement.
Signed __________Wm Graham London
Hallmarked London 1798
Diameter 57 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good, hairline crack.
==> Movement __ Excellent but the case latch damaged.
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| Silver Centre Seconds Cylinder |
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A fine late 18th Century continental centre seconds cylinder in a silver open face case. Unusual gilt keywind movement, suspended going barrel with polished steel stopwork. Train wheels under a pierced single cock secured by two screws. Sector cock with polished steel coqueret and regulator. The barrel and cocks decorated with simple engraving. Plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Small stop lever at
the edge with spring acting directly on the balance.. Polished steel cylinder, brass escape wheel. Domed white enamel dial with centre seconds, Arabic numerals, fine blue steel seconds hand, gold hands. Plain silver open face case, wound and set through the gilt metal cuvette, instruction on use in English text.
Anonymous
Circa 1800
Diameter 61 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
Probably Scandinavian. The case is indistinctly stamped “A. W. Å?????” in a curved cartouche. A very attractive unusual watch.
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| Gold Swiss Cylinder with Offset Dial |
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A small early 19th Century Swiss cylinder with offset dial in a gold open face case. Keywind gilt Lepine calibre movement with suspended going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator. plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel. Silver engine turned dial, Roman numerals, the chapter offset to allow for a larger barrel and balance. Blue steel Breguet hands. Fine engine turned 18 carat
open face case with engine turned middle and bezel. Wound and set through the gold cuvette.
Anonymous Swiss
Circa 1820
Diameter 35 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Very good.
An attractive small watch, the engine turning still very crisp.
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| Silver Pair Cased English Verge |
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A 19th Century English verge in silver pair cases. Full plate fusee movement with round pillars. Pierced and engraved round cock, steel regulator on top plate below the plain three arm steel balance. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, gilt hands. Matching silver pair cases of heavy gauge, silver oval pendant and bow, maker’s mark “IMH”.
Signed __________John Stubbs Kegworth
Hallmarked London 1824
Diameter 59 mm - Depth 16 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Silver Pair Cased English Verge |
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A 19th Century English verge in silver pair cases. Full plate fusee movement with round pillars. Pierced and engraved round cock decorated with musical motifs, steel regulator on top plate below the plain three arm steel balance. Fully restored off white enamel dial with Roman numerals, gilt hands. Matching silver pair cases, oval pendant and bow, maker’s mark “BN” in a rectangle.
Anonymous English
Hallmarked London 1827
Diameter 60 mm - Depth 17 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| English Silver Pair Cased Verge |
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A 19th Century English verge in silver pair cases. Full plate fusee movement with round pillars. Pierced and engraved round cock, steel regulator on top plate below the plain three arm steel balance. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, gilt hands. Matching silver pair cases, silver oval pendant and later bow, number corresponding to that on the movement and maker’s mark “WC”.
Anonymous English
Hallmarked Birmingham 1836
Diameter 58 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Silver Lever for the Chinese Market |
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A mid 19th Century Swiss centre seconds lever for the Chinese market in a silver open face case. Keywind gilt bar movement with richly engraved plate, bridges and suspended going barrel, polished steel regulator, blue steel stop work and screws. Polished steel three arm balance with three blue steel affixes, spiral hairspring. Club foot lever escapement with long decorative polished steel lever. White painted dial with Roman numerals, centre seconds, blue steel hands. Plain silver
open face case, wound and set through the glazed sprung cuvette, silver oval pendant and bow. Maker’s mark “E Borel” and Chinese signature matching that on the movement.
Swiss - Chinese signature
Circa 1850
Diameter 56 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
An unusual 19th Century Swiss lever in a gold engine turned open face case. Keywind gilt Lepine calibre movement with suspended going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. High quality right angle lever escapement with double roller and triangular impulse jewel. Delicate polished steel escape wheel, lever pivots with endstones. White enamel dial with Roman numerals,
pierced gilt hands. Slim engine turned 18 carat open face case with ribbed middle, maker’s mark “SG” in an oval. Decoratively engine turned and engraved signed gold cuvette giving details of the movement.
Signed __________Alphonse Montandon a Travers
Circa 1835
Diameter 44 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Very good.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Unusual Independent Seconds Captains Watch |
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An unusual fine mid 18th Century Swiss independent seconds Captain’s lever in a gold open face case. Keywind gilt bar movement with two going barrels. One barrel for the going train, the other for the independent seconds train. Plain cock with blue steel regulator, polished steel parachute suspension, bimetallic compensation curb. Plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. Attractive
engraved and engine turned silver dial with engine turned gilt chapters for two time zones and continuous subsidiary seconds. The left chapter of Roman numerals running continuously, the right of Arabic numerals linked to the independent centre seconds. blue steel hands. Fine decorative 18 carat open face case, the back engraved with a scene of a two masted square rigged ship in a port. Ribbed middle, small slide to control the independent seconds. Wound and set through the engraved, gold and enamel cuvette giving details of the
movement.
Signed __________C Cooper & Sons
Circa 1850
Diameter 51 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Large American Silver Hunter |
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A 19th Century American lever in a large and substantial silver full hunter case. Full plate gilt keywind movement. Engraved cock, polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Screwed in jewelling, Signed white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Roman numerals, blue steel hands. Very substantial engine turned silver full hunter case, rope effect middle., maker’s mark “R B G & Co” and
“Warranted Coin”
Signed __________P J Bartlett Waltham Mass. Fogg’s Patent - 379824
Circa 1865
Diameter 64 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Very good.
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| Large Silver Moonphase Calendar Watch |
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A large late 19th Century Swiss moonphase calendar lever in a silver open face case. Keyless gilt bar movement with going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator. uncut bimetallic balance with spiral hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. White enamel dial with subsidiaries for day, date and month in French. Seconds subsidiary with the moonphase below, Roman numerals, pierced gilt hands. Engine turned silver open face case, pin
sets for the calendar work and gilt winding crown. Details of the movement engraved on the silver cuvette and a dedication on the inside of the back lid.
Anonymous Swiss
Circa 1890
Diameter 62 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Very good.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Very good.
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| Silver Pair Cased Fusee Lever |
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A late 19th Century fusee lever with decorative silver dial in silver pair cases. Full plate gilt keywind fusee movement with gilt dust cover. Harrison’s maintaining power. Engraved cock, blue steel Bosley regulator, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. English table roller lever escapement. Attractive engine turned silver dial with subsidiary seconds, applied gold Roman numerals, blue steel hands. Matching silver
pair cases, silver pendant and bow, maker’s mark “TRA” and number corresponding to that on the movement.
Signed __________J Hutchinson Brechin
Hallmarked Chester 1900
Diameter 54 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| High Quality Gold Open Face Lever |
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A fine early 20th Century Swiss lever in a gold open face case. High quality gilt split three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel, frosted steel winding work. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement, escape pivots with endstones. Signed engine turned gilt dial with subsidiary seconds, Arabic numerals, blue steel Breguet hands. Plain 18 carat drum shaped
open face case, the back set with a vacant circular silver cartouche. Maker’s mark “SG” in an oval. The signed gold cuvette also marked: “Observatoire Nationale de Besancon - Bulletin de 1ere Classe”.
Signed __________L Leroy & Cie - Horlogers de la Marine 7 Bd de la Madeleine Paris
Circa 1920
Diameter 51 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
A high quality watch which appears to have been entered for timing trials and achieved a first class certificate.
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| Silver 8 Day Goliath Lever |
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An early 20th Century Swiss goliath 8 day lever in a silver open face case. Nickelled split three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel, the wheel driving the cannon pinion above the plate. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Arabic numerals, blue steel hands. Large plain silver open face
case, London import marks for 1920, maker’s mark “EGT” in a rectangle. Gilt winding crown.
Signed __________Octava Watch Co. Switzerland - 15 Jewels 3 Adjustments
Hallmarked London 1920
Diameter 67 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Gold Octagonal Swiss Dress Watch |
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An early 20th Century Swiss lever gold octagonal dress watch. Circular keyless nickelled bar movement with going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement, escape pivots with endstones. Silvered dial with and Arabic numerals, blue steel hands. Plain 18 carat open face case, maker’s mark “B.H&M” in a rectangle on the single
back.
Anonymous Swiss
Hallmarked London 1922
Diameter 47 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Gilt and Shagreen English Verge |
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An 18th Century English verge in shagreen covered gilt pair cases. Full plate fire gilt movement with square baluster pillars. Pierced and engraved cock, pierced and engraved foot and plate for the silver regulator disc. Fusee and chain with late ratchet barrel setup between the plates. Plain three arm steel balance, blue steel spiral hairspring. White enamel dial with Arabic numerals, gilt hands. Silver gilt inner case, maker’s mark
“HB” in a rectangle. Gilt metal outer case covered in green shagreen decorated with gilt pique pins.
Signed __________Anderson London 168
Hallmarked London 1769
Diameter 49 mm - Depth 14.5 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Very good.
The shagreen covering to the outer case in very fine condition for the period.
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| Gold French Verge with Erotic Enamelled Scene |
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A late 18th Century French verge in a gold consular case with a concealed erotic enamel scene. Full plate gilt fusee movement. Finely pierced and engraved bridge cock with steel coqueret, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Silver regulator dial with blue steel indicator. Winding through the signed white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, pierced gold hands. Gold consular case, the hinged
gold back concealing an erotic scene fo polychrome enamel on gold. This depicts two women and a young man engaged in amorous activity.
Signed __________Vaucher a Paris
Circa 1780
Diameter 37 mm - Depth 7 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Gold French Verge with Erotic Enamelled Scene |
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A late 18th Century French verge in a gold consular case set with a portrait miniature concealing an erotic enamel scene. Full plate gilt fusee movement. Finely pierced and engraved bridge cock with steel coqueret, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Silver regulator dial with blue steel indicator. Winding through the white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, later gilt hands.
Gold and enamel consular case, the back decorated with an oval polychrome portrait miniature of a young woman within a border of small split pearls. Under the back cover a polychrome enamel erotic scene depicting a couple being observed by a priest.
Signed __________Autray a Paris
Circa 1780
Diameter 41 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Triple Repousse Case Painted Dial Verge |
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A late 18th Century verge with polychrome enamel dial in silver repousse pair cases and decorative underpainted horn protective outer. Full plate fire gilt movement with square baluster pillars. Pierced and engraved bridge cock, pierced and engraved plate for the silver regulator disc. Plain three arm gilt balance, blue steel spiral hairspring. Polychrome enamel dial, the decorative scene around the edge of a young shepherd tending lambs beside a lake.
Small central chapter of Roman and Arabic numerals, arcaded minute ring, small blue steel beetle and poker hands. Plain silver inner case, maker’s mark “I*C” over “I*C” in a rectangle. Silver repousse outer case depicting three classical figures within a rococo border. Third protective outer case with silver bezels and pique pins covered in horn. The horn underpainted with a scene of a hunter firing a gun at a bird, a dog at his side.
Signed __________Seamoure London
Hallmarked London 1793
Diameter [repousse case] 51 mm - Depth 14 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent. The horn on the back of protective outer cracked, and very slight damage to the bezel
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent..
A highly decorative watch. It is unusual to find three parts of a watch with decorative scenes. In style it would appear to be Dutch and about thirty years earlier than the date of the London hallmark. This may be due to watches of unchanging design continuing to be imported for many years or the case being assayed at a later date. In fine overall condition; the damage to the horn covering is not serious and very much less than would be expected for a watch of the
period.
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| Rare Pearl Set Bracelet Watch |
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A rare late 18th Century pearl set gold bracelet watch with visible balance. Ovoid full plate gilt keywind movement with resting barrel. Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel. The four arm balance with blue steel spiral hairspring visible above the dial, its rim set with a row of pastes. Another row of pastes borders the white enamel dial, Arabic numerals, blue steel hands. Surrounding the balance and dial a blue and white enamelled
mask depicting birds. Fine gold bracelet case with integral band hinged in the middle and latched to both ends. The mask bordered by a row of split pearls with three large split pearls decorating the top. The watch wound, set and regulated through apertures in the back which are protected by a sliding gold shutter.
Anonymous Swiss
Circa 1790
Dimensions 22 x 55 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Very good.
A rare and decorative piece. Early bracelet or bangle watches were very uncommon. Requiring small movements they were delicate and would have been easily damaged if not well cared for.
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| Gold and Enamel Verge Watch in the Form of a Lyre |
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An early 19th Century Austrian verge in a gold and enamel case in the form of a lyre. Full plate gilt fusee movement. Pierced and engraved bridge cock with steel coqueret, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Silver regulator dial with blue steel indicator. Contemporary white enamel dial with Roman numerals, blue steel Breguet hands. Fine gold case in the form of a lyre decorated with polychrome
enamel. On the front the frame of the lyre in engraved gold and translucent red enamel over an engraved ground surrounding the blue centre; on the back the colours are reversed. The centre of the hinged front cover depicts a lyre and sheet music. On the back a small glazed aperture with a border of split pearls reveals the cock and the strings of the lyre a represented by four twisted gold wires. The watch supported by a gold clip and two short gold and enamel chains.
Anonymous Austrian
Circa 1830
Dimensions 32 x 55 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Very good.
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| Diamond Set Gold and Enamel Full Hunter |
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A fine mid 19th Century Swiss cylinder in a diamond set gold and enamel full hunter case. Keyless gilt bar movement with going barrel, frosted steel wolf’s teeth winding wheels. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, blue steel hands. Full hunter 18 carat case with engraved middle. The covers
with dark blue translucent enamel over an engine turned ground. The front cover set with diamonds in a floral design. The back cover with a star formed from diamonds, the centre a single large stone. Plain gold cuvette.
Anonymous Swiss
Circa 1860
Diameter 37 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent apart from some light scratches to the enamel.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent but a small surface chip by one of the fixing screws.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Diamond Set Gold and Enamel Watch Suite |
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A mid 19th Century Swiss cylinder in a diamond set gold and enamel full hunter case with matching long chain and accessories. Keywind gilt bar movement with suspended going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, gilt hands. Full hunter 18 carat case with coin edge middle. The covers with green translucent enamel over an engine turned
ground. The front cover with a circular floral design set in diamonds. The back cover with a quatrefoil design of diamonds. Wound and set through the signed gold cuvette which is also engraved with details of the movement. Long (380 mm) double gold chain with three matching gold and enamel slides, hinged gold clip with screw lock. Single gold chain with matching pierced and engraved gold and enamel seal and key.
Signed __________Lebet et Fils Suisse
Circa 1860
Diameter 35 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent but one cover fully restored and the key lacking the shank.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Gold and Enamel Ladies Cylinder |
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A 19th Century ladies Swiss cylinder in a gold and enamel open face case. Keywind gilt bar movement with suspended going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel. Gold dial with decoratively engraved matted centre, Roman numerals, blue steel hands. Decorative 18 carat gold and enamel open face case, the middle and bezels engraved.
The back with a fully restored polychrome floral display on a ground of dark blue translucent enamel over engine turning. Wound and set through the gold cuvette, maker’s mark “LF” in an oval and a dedication date 1895.
Signed __________Badollet a Geneve
Circa 1870
Diameter 36 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Very good.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Gold and Enamel Beetle Form Watch |
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A fine late 19th Century Swiss gold and enamel brooch watch in the form of a beetle. Oval keywind gilt bar movement with suspended going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator. plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel. Small white enamel dial with Roman numerals, blue steel hands. Fine gold and enamel case in the form of a beetle, the diamond set translucent red enamel wings opened by depressing a button in
the tail to reveal the dial. The head chased and engraved, the eyes represented by diamonds. The underside of the beetle realistically portrayed with finely chased and engraved legs applied to the hinged cover. On the inside of the cover an oval glazed frame for a miniature portrait, wound and set through the gold oval cuvette. Hinged gold pin with safety latch.
Anonymous Swiss
Circa 1880
Dimensions 43 x 22 x 14 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent apart from the enamel on the wings fully restored.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
A high quality attractive piece. See The Technique and History of the Swiss Watch colour plate 30 for a similar watch.
A late 19th Century American lever in a gold full hunter case. Gilt split three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel. Engraved cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. Decorative signed white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, the black Arabic numerals set within gilt cartouches, blue steel hands. Small engine turned 14 carat full hunter case with
engraved middle. The front cover with engraved decoration and monogram in a small cartouche, gold cuvette.
Signed __________American Waltham Watch Co. Safety Pinion 6997102
Circa 1895
Diameter 40 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Very good.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Decorative Gold American Ladies Lever |
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An early 20th Century American lever in a small decorative gold full hunter case. Nickelled split three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel. Plain cock with micrometer regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. Signed white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Roman numerals, blue steel hands. Small decoratively engraved and engine turned 14 carat with engraved middle, gold
cuvette.
Signed __________Elgin Natl Watch Co. - Safety Pinion 12967934
Circa 1905
Diameter 34 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Gold and Enamel Swiss Dress Watch |
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An early 20th Century Swiss lever in a gold and enamel dress watch with equine decoration. Small nickelled split three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. Signed gilt and silvered metal dial with subsidiary seconds, Arabic numerals in circular cartouches, blue steel hands. Slim 18 carat open face case with
ribbed middle. The broad bezels engraved and decorated with black champleve enamel. In the centre of the back a chased and engraved representation of two horses heads.
Signed __________Union Horlogere
Circa 1920
Diameter 46 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Gold and Enamel Gem Set Pendant Watch |
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A 20th Century Swiss lever by Longines in an unusual gem set gold and enamel case with matching necklace. Keyless nickelled bar movement with going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator. Compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement, escape pivots with endstones. Silver dial with subsidiary seconds, Arabic numerals, blue steel hands. Small gold case decorated in unusual matt black
enamel. In the centre of the back a blue gemstone surrounded by a border of rose diamonds. Gold cuvette, Longines makers mark. Matching gold and black necklace and short chain, the necklace 580 mm in length.
Signed __________Longines W Co. - 17 Jewels, 5Adjusts
Circa 1930
Diameter 27 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
A 20th Century Swiss lever in a slim decorative engine turned full hunter case. Nickelled split three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel micrometer regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. Signed white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Roman numerals, pierced gilt hands. Slim decoratively engine turned full hunter case. Vacant oval
cartouche on the front cover, the gold cuvette engrave d “Ancre - Grand Prix Berne 1914 - Hors Concours”.
Signed __________El-Arborito Extrapino
Circa 1930
Diameter 47 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Silver and Enamel Ermeto Watch |
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A Swiss "hermetic" lever purse watch in a silver and enamel case. Rectangular metal dial with luminous Arabic numerals and hands. Rectangular silver case, the sliding shells covered in black enamel. The watch wound by opening and closing the shells.
Signed __________Chronometre Movado
Circa 1920
Dimensions 47 x 34 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Very good.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Crocodile Covered Ermeto Alarm Watch |
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A Swiss "hermetic" lever alarm in a crocodile skin covered gilt metal case. Circular nickelled split three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. Square metal dial with applied gilt batons, central circular section for the alarm, gilt hands. Rectangular gilt metal case, sliding gilt shells covered in brown crocodile skin.
The watch wound by opening and closing the shells, the time and alarm set by two gilt crowns. Folding easel stand for desktop use.
Signed __________Movado - ermetophon
Circa 1950
Dimensions 50 x 38 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
See Technique and History of the Swiss Watch page 203 and plate 147 for a similar watch.
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| Small Gold and Enamel Swiss Cylinder |
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A mid 19th Century Swiss cylinder in a gold and enamel open face case. Keywind gilt bar movement with suspended going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, blue steel hands. Fine polychrome enamel scene of two young ladies by a lake. Wound and set through the gold cuvette
engraved with details of the movement.
Anonymous Swiss
Circa 1860
Diameter 29 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Early English Gilt Metal Clockwatch |
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A late 17th Century hour striking English verge clockwatch in gilt metal cases. Deep full plate fire gilt movement with five turned baluster pillars. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Pierced and engraved winged cock with mask, pierced and engraved foot and plate for the silver regulator disc.. The winding square for the fusee set within the rim of the plain steel balance which has two arms in
a”V” and a counterweight. Hour striking with a single hammer on a bell in the back of the case. Later white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, later gilt hands. Purpose made gilt metal pair cases, the inner pierced and engraved. The outer with a covering of dark shell with gilt rings and pique work.
Signed __________Peter Wise London
Circa 1695
Diameter 52 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Very good.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent but the strike on demand lever lacking..
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| Rare Miniature Diamond Set Quarter Repeater |
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A fine rare 18th Century French quarter repeating verge in a diamond set two colour gold consular case. Full plate gilt fusee movement. Finely pierced and engraved bridge cock with steel coqueret, plain three arm steel balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Silver regulator dial with blue steel indicator. Push pendant quarter repeating on a bell in the back of the case. Winding through the white enamel dial, Roman and Arabic
numerals, pierced hands set with rose diamonds. Fine line engine turned small gold consular case decorated with applied two colour gold decoration and set with diamond representing three flowers. The back discretely pierced to allow the sound of the bell to be heard clearly. Diamond set front bezel, small pulse piece to stop the bell from being struck.
Signed __________J More a Paris
Circa 1760
Diameter 34 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
A fine decorative watch in excellent overall condition. Repeating watches from the middle of the 18th Century of such small size are very rare.
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| Gold Skeletonised Quarter Repeater |
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An unusual skeletonised early 19th Century Swiss cylinder quarter repeater in a gold open face case. Keywind skeletonised engraved gilt movement with engraved gilt suspended going barrel. Sector gilt pierced cock with polished steel regulator and coqueret. Plain three arm gold balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel. Push pendant quarter repeating on two polished steel gongs. White
enamel ring dial, Arabic numerals, blue steel Breguet hands. The centre of the dial glazed to reveal the pierced and engraved plate and polished steel quarter repeating work. Engine turned 18 carat open face case with ribbed middle, gold push pendant. Glazed cuvette with decoratively engraved bezel.
Anonymous Swiss
Circa 1810
Diameter 56 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Very good.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent but lacking stop work on the barrel.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Gold Quarter Repeating Erotic Automaton |
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An early 19th Century French quarter repeating verge with a concealed erotic automaton in a gold open face case. Full plate gilt fusee movement. Finely pierced and engraved bridge cock with garnet endstone in a polished steel setting, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Silver regulator dial. Winding through the signed white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, blue steel Breguet hands. Engine turned 18 carat open face
case with rope effect middle. In the centre of the gilt cuvette a small signed cover opens when a pin is pressed at the edge to reveal a pair of lovers. The parcel gilt figures spring to action when the repeat mechanism is activated.
Signed __________Breguet & Fils
Circa 1810
Diameter 56 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent but the engine turning a little rubbed.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Repeating Gold Automaton with Erotic Scene |
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An early 19th Century Swiss quarter repeating automaton verge with concealed erotic scene in a gold open face case. Full plate fusee movement. Pierced polished steel bridge cock, steel endstone in a polished steel setting, silver regulator dial with blue steel indicator. Pendant quarter repeating on two gongs. Small white enamel ring dial with Arabic numerals, gilt hands. Either side of the dial are chased and engraved parcel gilt classical figures fixed above
the decorative engraved plate and polished steel repeating work. As the watch strikes the hours and quarters the arms of the figures move as though striking the bells between them. Below the dial a parcel gilt cover which can be slid aside to reveal a couple embracing on a couch above a blue steel background. As the watch strikes the man springs into action, continuing until the repeating train stops. Eighteen carat gold open face case with ribbed middle, plain back. Gold push pendant, gold slide in the band to operate the cover,
signed gilt metal cuvette.
Signed __________Girod Columby a Geneve
Circa 1810
Diameter 56 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Very good.
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| Gold Quarter Repeating Automaton |
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A late 19th Century Swiss quarter repeating lever automaton in a gold full hunter case. Gilt three quarter plate keyless movement, going barrel, steel winding work. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, uncut balance with overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement. Push quarter repeating on two polished steel gongs, the regulator visible above the train. Small central dial with subsidiary seconds below of translucent white enamel over an engine turned ground, black Arabic
numerals and gilt minute markings, pierced gilt hands. Blue steel ground with gilt figures, one cupid holding two bells. Either side of the dial are another cupid and a larger winged figure holding a scythe. These appear to strike the bells when the repeat mechanism sounds. Plain 14 carat red gold full hunter case, gold cuvette.
Signed __________Volta
Circa 1890
Diameter 54 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
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| Quarter Repeating Erotic Automaton |
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A late 19th Century quarter repeating Swiss lever with an erotic scene in a gold full hunter case. Nickelled three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Screwed in jewelling, club foot lever escapement. Slide quarter repeating on two polished steel gongs. White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Roman numerals, pierced gilt hands. Plain 18 carat red gold full
hunter case. A second lid to the gold cuvette concealing an erotic scene of polychrome enamel figures on silvered ground engraved with an interior of a room. The polychrome figures engaged in an amorous encounter spring to life when the repeat mechanism is activated.
Anonymous Swiss
Circa 1890
Diameter 54 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent.
==> Dial ._______ Excellent.
==> Movement __ Excellent.
A rare original example of this form of erotic automaton.
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| Very Rare Quarter Striking Stackfreed Alarm |
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A very rare late 16th Century oval German quarter striking stackfreed alarm in an octagonal gilt metal case. Deep oval fire gilt movement with five turned baluster pillars. Plain barrel ring to the mainspring decorated on one side with an applied pierced and engraved gilt shield. Ten leaf brass pinion driving the gilt wheel carrying the blue steel cam for the stackfreed. Steel “C” shaped stackfreed spring with blue steel
roller. Decorative pierced and engraved cock secured by a screw, later blue steel coqueret. Small steel two arm balance. Small engraved gilt potence to the escape pinion, three wheel train, gilt wheels, steel five leaf pinions. Large pierced and engraved resting barrel for the striking work. Elaborately shaped face to the single hammer and large turned gilt weight to the fly pinion. Large brass count wheel for the quarter striking, the internal teeth driven by a three pin “castle” on a pinion of the striking
train. The count wheel held in place by two decorative pierced and engraved plates. Small resting barrel to the alarm train. Gilt crown wheel, its pivot in a substantial gilt potence. Pierced and engraved gate controlling the alarm train, double ended steel hammer. The movement secured to the octagonal dial plate by a later blue steel latch. The front of the plate raised on bevelled edges and decoratively engraved. Later plain silver dial chapter and alarm disc with Roman numerals, long gilt hour hand and short blue
steel “minute” hand. A hole in the dial allows the striking train to be released in order to synchronise it with the hands. Fine fire gilt octagonal case, the front and back bevelled and decorated in a similar fashion to the dial plate. The back decoratively pierced and engraved. The middle of the case pierced to form a colonnade of pillars. Small swing locking mechanism to the front cover, large glazed circular aperture to reveal the dial. Later ring bow and finial. The alarm and quarters struck on a large oval bell in the
case.
Anonymous German
Circa 1590
Dimensions 84 x 60 x 35 mm
Condition
==> Case _______ Excellent. The glass now held by a bezel rather than six claws (holes visible).
==> Dial ._______ Very good.
==> Movement __ Very good, see below.
This is a very rare watch and one of the earliest two handed watches known. An example of a movement only by Hans Gruber of Nuremberg, circa 1570 is in the British Museum. See the British Museum catalogue of stackfreed watches No. 11. This is also a quarter striking clockwatch. It is probable the quarter striking necessitated the use of an extra hand in order that a four pointed star could be used to release the train - rather than one with 48 points. The replacement
dial has almost certainly copied the layout of the original and shows only the quarters, not the minutes. It is interesting to note that the hour markings are outside the quarters, the reverse of later practise. This is perhaps a unique opportunity to acquire such an early interesting watch. Despite the alterations this piece should be regarded as being in very good or excellent condition. Few mechanical pieces were made before 1620 and almost all that even survive were subject to “improvements” and repair in the early
years of their existence. No attempt has been made to hide the changes carried out and they should be seen as an honest historical record of its life.
Due to its age and complexity this watch cannot be expected to function reliably. Although all three trains work the balance is prone to set. It then requires gentle help to start again. The watch has undergone one or perhaps two major refurbishment. The brass wheels of the going train are replacements but the pinions appear to be original. Surprisingly, although a coqueret has been added to the cock (causing little damage), it has never been fitted with a hairspring.
The plugged holes in the plate are due to pieces being removed rather than major alterations. The holes close to the balance may have been for another retaining plate to the countwheel; (one of the remaining is original, the other a replacement). A small device to disable the alarm mechanism has also been removed. It is probable that the watch also had a rare form of bristle regulator which adjusted automatically as the mainspring ran down in an attempt to fine tune the action of the stackfreed. The gate controlling the striking work has
been repaired, the piece left brass and plain but apparently to the same shape as the original.
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| Early Silver Champleve Dial Repeater |
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A late 17th century English quarter repeating verge in pierced and engraved silver pair cases. Deep full plate fire gilt movement with decorative turned baluster pillars. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Pierced and engraved winged cock with mask, a further mask and two birds depicted on the table, small pierced and engraved foot. Plain steel balance with two arms and a counterbalance to allow for
the winding square. Silver regulator disc on a pierced and engraved plate. Push pendant quarter repeating on bell in the back of the case. Engraved repeating barrel and the arbors for the hammers decoratively turned. Signed silver champleve dial with Roman and Arabic nume
