English clock watch verge for the Turkish market Circa 1785

Gold, enamel and pearl set clock watch
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An English 18 carat large gold, painted enamel and pearl set open faced clock watch with repeating hours and half hours, made for the Turkish market, circa 1785. Gilt movement with key winding, the plate with a large foliate and chased decoration, verge escapement, chased and pierced cock of manufacture English single foot watch, adjustment disc for advance/delay, striking with 2 hammers on a bell, dust cover and movement are signed George Prior London.
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White enamel dial with Turkish numerals for the hours and minutes, railway minute track, half pearl set hands, half hour markings, signed George Prior London.
Round hinged case, the outer case with pearl-set bezel, finely painted on enamel with a cartouche-shaped scene of a bouquet of flowers in the background, within a red, green and blue enamel frame set with half-pearls, the borders pierced with enamel floral decoration, the inner case with fine chased decoration to the borders and centre.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Weight: 164.3 g
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Signed: George Prior, London
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George Prior, an English watchmaker active in London in the 18th century (1765 –1830), is famous for producing watches specifically for the Ottoman market. His watches were particularly popular in the Ottoman Empire because of their exotic style, mechanical quality, and careful adaptation to Ottoman tastes.

Here are some of their distinctive features

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Design Adapted to Ottoman Tastes

George Prior adapted his watches to Ottoman cultural and aesthetic preferences:

Turkish Numerals: The dials of his watches often used Arabic or Turkish numerals to indicate the hours, making them easier to use for local customers.

Ornate Decorations: Many watches were richly decorated with floral motifs, gilding, enamel cases, and sometimes even gemstones. This was in keeping with Ottoman tastes for elaborate ornamentation.

Enamel Dials and Cases:

Watches often featured colourful dials and enamel cases, a technique that allowed for vibrant colours and intricate designs that were appreciated by Ottoman customers.

High-Quality Mechanisms

George Prior watches were known for their mechanical quality. Some featured complications, such as quarter-, hour-, and half-hour repeaters, and were built to withstand frequent travel throughout the vast empire.
Their accuracy and reliability made them a quality choice for Ottoman elites.

Symbolism and Reputation

George Prior watches became synonymous with luxury and refinement in the Ottoman Empire. Clientele often included members of the Ottoman court, wealthy merchants, and dignitaries. They were seen not only as instruments for measuring time, but also as status symbols.

Today, George Prior’s watches for the Ottoman market are highly prized by collectors of horology and Islamic art.
They are considered rare pieces, testifying to the cultural and commercial interaction between the Ottoman Empire and Europe in the 18th century.

George Prior’s watches thus represent a unique fusion of English craftsmanship and Ottoman taste, marking a time when Western watchmaking was opening up to the markets and cultures of the East.