Willm ALLAM, London. 818
Fine quarter-repeating watch, circa 1765, with both a wonderful case and in wonderful original condition.
£7,995.00
Beautifully pierced and engraved 22ct gold pair case, casemaker PM (Peter Mounier) but carrying no date letter, the outer retaining its original silk liner. Capped and jewelled fullplate fusee movement with equally well engraved cock and slide-plate, the faces on the cock and inner case being unusually well done, the repeating work mounted under the dial, with twin hammers hitting the original polished bell, the cap stamped RE (cameo), as often associated with the best London work. Cylinder (deadbeat) escapement retaining its original Graham-type banking. Steel balance with its original 4-turn spiral balance-spring. Lovely original Roman & Arabic enamel dial, retaining the original gold hands. 49 mm diameter.
William Allam, watch and clockmaker, member of the Clockmakers’ Company 1745-83, with examples of his work in many museums, and probably working in Fleet Street at this period.
Peter Mounier, Frith Street, Soho, among the best watch case makers of the period, maker of many cases for Thomas Mudge, including that of the first lever watch – ‘the Queen’s watch’
Of particular interest in this watch is the early use of an un-pierced outer paired with a truly exquisitely engraved inner, reversing the usual mix for the period; this inner case being among the best of its kind I have handled. Sadly we do not know the name of the engraver, though their working with Mounier, perhaps the finest watch case maker of the day, means that they will have been someone of known exceptional talent. I believe they also did work for the Ellicott firm.
The pulse-piece intact on the outer but partially missing from its position on the brass-edge, as is so common with repeater watches of this period. Otherwise in outstanding original condition, the outer case showing few of the expected signs of wear and the dial with just a faint hair crack cutting across the zero at the case bolt slot. That said, just about all such pre-1765 slotted enamel dials have far greater damage showing at this vulnerable point, this being about as good as one will ever find – see my Profile No 3 on ENAMEL Watch Dials. Photographed prior to cleaning, please note, and presently being fully and properly serviced, thus accompanied by my usual guarantee. NB: The missing part of the pulse-piece can be restored for its new owner, should they so want.
Item reserved
Description
Beautifully pierced and engraved 22ct gold pair case, casemaker PM (Peter Mounier) but carrying no date letter, the outer retaining its original silk liner. Capped and jewelled fullplate fusee movement with equally well engraved cock and slide-plate, the faces on the cock and inner case being unusually well done, the repeating work mounted under the dial, with twin hammers hitting the original polished bell, the cap stamped RE (cameo), as often associated with the best London work. Cylinder (deadbeat) escapement retaining its original Graham-type banking. Steel balance with its original 4-turn spiral balance-spring. Lovely original Roman & Arabic enamel dial, retaining the original gold hands. 49 mm diameter.
William Allam, watch and clockmaker, member of the Clockmakers’ Company 1745-83, with examples of his work in many museums, and probably working in Fleet Street at this period.
Peter Mounier, Frith Street, Soho, among the best watch case makers of the period, maker of many cases for Thomas Mudge, including that of the first lever watch – ‘the Queen’s watch’
Of particular interest in this watch is the early use of an un-pierced outer paired with a truly exquisitely engraved inner, reversing the usual mix for the period; this inner case being among the best of its kind I have handled. Sadly we do not know the name of the engraver, though their working with Mounier, perhaps the finest watch case maker of the day, means that they will have been someone of known exceptional talent. I believe they also did work for the Ellicott firm.
The pulse-piece intact on the outer but partially missing from its position on the brass-edge, as is so common with repeater watches of this period. Otherwise in outstanding original condition, the outer case showing few of the expected signs of wear and the dial with just a faint hair crack cutting across the zero at the case bolt slot. That said, just about all such pre-1765 slotted enamel dials have far greater damage showing at this vulnerable point, this being about as good as one will ever find – see my Profile No 3 on ENAMEL Watch Dials. Photographed prior to cleaning, please note, and presently being fully and properly serviced, thus accompanied by my usual guarantee. NB: The missing part of the pulse-piece can be restored for its new owner, should they so want.
