English gold duplex made for the Chinese market Circa 1795

Kenmerk: BA3519
Diameter: 64 mm

Estimate: € 15.000 - 30.000
Price sold: € 11.850

Gold center seconds watch by William Anthony
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A fine English 18 carat gold and enamel center seconds pocket watch made for the Chinese market, circa 1795. The gilt brass movement with chased foliage decoration, a Chinese caliber drawn from that of Lépine with a freestanding barrel, duplex escapement, plain flat five arm polished steel balance with flat balance spring and a diamond end stone. A gilded brass cuvette. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, Arabic quarter hour numerals and original gold arrow hands. The case with translucent green enamel on the back and split pearl set bezels, pendant and bow. Cuvette signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 64 mm
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Signed: William Anthony London
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William Anthony was born around 1765. He worked in Red Lion Street, St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, where he made high class, decorative watches for the Chinese market. Characteristic of his watches are oval dials and hands jointed in such a way that they automatically adjust to the changing radius of the dial as they move around.

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As a successful tradesman, Anthony played an active part in the founding of the Watch and Clockmakers’ Benevolent Association in 1815, but thereafter suffered a series of losses following unsuccessful litigation with Grimaldi & Johnson and an ill-fated attempt to set up a commercial exhibition in the Somerset Gallery, Strand, of Commonwealth and Stuart costume displayed on wax models. In 1844, he died in straitened circumstances.

Signed: William Anthony London