Early English verge made for the Ottoman market Circa 1785

Gold verge with self-strike and chatelaine by Daniel de St.-Leu
–
An early English 18 carat gold pair cased quarter-hour self-striking verge pocket watch with chatelaine made for the Ottoman market, circa 1785. Very fine decorated fire gilt movement, quarter-hour self-striking, rare striking mechanism with a double strike of the hours. White enamel dial with Ottoman numerals and rose gold hands. Case pierced and engraved, typical St.-Leu decoration with cannons and flags on the back, the inner case also decorated and pierced, mostly with floral motifs, bell. Case numbered, dial signed, cuvette and movement signed and numbered, case, cuvette and movement with matching numbers. Comes with a matching fire gilt chatelaine.
–
Diameter: 60 mm
–
Weight: 171 g
–
Signed: Dan de St Leu Watchmaker to her Majesty London
–
Daniel de Saint-Leu originally came from Geneva and worked from 1753 to 1797. He created some of the most beautiful and elaborate watches of the 18th century. In 1765 he was appointed as a Royal watchmaker to Queen Charlotte at the Court of George III in London. Due to the fact that all watches of de St. Leus are marked ‘Sevt. to her Majesty’ or ‘Watch Maker to her Majesty’ after this date, confirms that he held this position until the end of his life.
–
De St.-Leu was specialised in manufacturing watches for the wealthy Ottoman market, where customers wanted to use their watches also as jewellery. The gold watch cases were mostly richly decorated and set with precious jewels. In the 18th century, English watches were very popular on the Ottoman market and were exported in large numbers. Daniel de St.-Leu also created movements of the highest quality and built them into his extravagant cases. Pieces that were perfect for the Ottoman market.