18 Carat gold English repoussé pair case verge watch Circa 1758
- Kenmerk
- HC0653
- Diameter
- 55 mm
- Estimate
- € 2.550 - 4.500
- Price sold
- € 2.500
Pocket watch with a scene of a soldier and his mistress
–
An early 18 Carat repoussé pair case verge watch with hallmarks London 1758, possibly made by Charles Clay, London, England, circa 1758. The open faced case was crafted from 18 Carat gold, is a pair case the outer case has a figural repoussé representing a soldier with his mistress and the inner case is plain with London hallmarks 1758. The very beautiful white enamel dial has an outer ring with Arabic and Roman numerals for, respectively, the minutes and the hours and probably original hands. The numbered movement has an early English verge escapement.
Movement signed.
–
Diameter: 55 mm
–
Weight: 97 g
–
Signed: Clay, London
–
Clay
Charles Clay was born in 1695 and a native of Emley near Huddersfield, Yorkshire. He applied for a patent for a repeating musical watch in February 1716, however, Daniel Quare disputed this patent and while the Attorney General made his decision in favour of Charles Clay, the Clockmakers’ company strongly supported Quare’s claim. Quare was a renowned maker and former, Master of the Company. Clay’s patent application was finally dismissed after a year. In 1720 Clay established his workshop near St. Mary – Le Strand in London and in 1723 he was appointed clockmaker to His Majesty’s Board of works. He held the position at least until 1737. Clay presumably died sometime in 1739, his will is dated January 18, 1739.
Signed: Clay, London





















