English gold dumb quarter repeating cylinder Circa 1788

Fine gold pair cased dumb quarter repeating cylinder watch
–
An English fine gold pair cased dumb quarter repeating cylinder watch, circa 1788, gilded full plate movement, cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with foliage, a mask at the neck, diamond endstone, elaborately coiled serpent indicating to silver regulator plate, two polished steel hammers repeating on blocks secured to the inside case back, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed Just. Vulliamy, London, plain gilt metal dust cap.
White enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands.
Gold inner case, the back with an engraved classical urn with dated monogram LS 1787, stirrup-form bow with chased leaf-form sides, pulse piece beneath bezel at 5 o’clock • gold outer case centered with cartouche engraved with the arms and motto of Frederick Irby, third Baron Boston, surrounded by engine-turned decoration with inset polished roundels, both bezels engraved with scrolls and foliage, both cases with maker’s mark WQ incuse for William Quinton.
–
Diameter: 53 mm
–
Signed: Just. Vulliamy London
–
The arms and motto to the case back are those of Frederick Irby, third Baron Boston who, for 50 years, was Lord of the Bedchamber to King George III. The repeating work is of the Stodgen-type and its action is ‘dumb’ half-quarter – repeating on blocks rather than a bell to the inside case back. Dumb repeating watches were increasingly fashionable during this period. Vulliamy has used the long-established design for the dial of five-minute figures and minute ring, however, the addition of a single dot marks each half-quarter, with twin dots at the quarters. The design and high-quality finish of the cock, with its grotesque mask at the neck, and the regulator plate with its serpent indicator, are typical of the maker’s work leading up to 1790.

Justin Vulliamy was the patriarch of three generations of watch and clockmakers. He left Switzerland and moved to England becoming the partner of Benjamin Gray, whose daughter he married. Following his father-in-law’s death, Vulliamy continued to employ Gray’s coded numbering system. Vulliamy’s son Benjamin was active from 1775-1820 and in turn his son, Benjamin Lewis, continued the business until his death in 1854.