English gold pair cased striking verge coach watch Circa 1790
- Kenmerk
- AS1830
- Diameter
- 63 mm
- Estimate
- € 17.500 - 35.000
- Price sold
- € 46.850
Vari colour gold and diamond set watch by Daniel de St. Leu
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An exquisite English vari coloured gold and diamond set pair cased quarter striking coach clockwatch made for the Turkish market, complete with a matching chatelaine, circa 1790. The watch features a gilded full plate movement with verge escapement, a flat three arm balance, a decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, a broad foot similarly decorated, a silver regulation plate with Turkish numerals, a going train with fusee and chain, a separate standing barrel for the strike train, cylindrical pillars, and a gilt metal dust cap. The movement and dust cap are signed and numbered Daniel de St. Leu, a London watchmaker to the Queen, with the serial number 15717. The white enamel dial features Turkish numerals and paste set arrow form hands, each with a crescent moon to the shaft and is signed De St. Leu, London.
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It has two cases: a gold inner case pierced for the sound emission, engraved with floral garlands, with apertures for winding each train, a strike/silent lever beneath the bezel at 3 o’clock, and numbered 15717 beneath the bell, with the maker’s mark IE, possibly IB, within a lozenge shaped cartouche. The gold outer case features applied, chased and engraved decoration, the back is centered by trophies of hunting heightened with diamonds, chased and engraved bezels pierced for sound emission and a diamond set front bezel.
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The chatelaine is made of gold and features a double sided upper panel with diamond set hunting trophies depicting a bow and quiver, a crescent moon to one side, and the reverse chased and engraved with a bouquet of flowers against a stippled ground. The panel is surrounded by scrolling pierced and engraved foliate decoration, with rows of pendant chains separated by diamond set panels, one with trophies to one side and diamond setting to the other, surrounded by chased and engraved foliage.
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Diameter outer case: 63 mm
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Diameter inner case: 54 mm
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Length incl. chains: 40 cm
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Signed: Daniel de St. Leu London
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The movement is not running because the fusee was fully wound down, and a few turns did not start it running again. However, the movement appears complete and the balance is free, so its lack of running may be due to old oil. The strike train is also not engaging at present. The dial is in good overall condition, and the case is in very good overall condition with crisp decoration retaining good definition throughout. The bell is scratch numbered 1378 on the back. The chatelaine is in good overall condition, with the two outermost pendant chains at the top of the chatelaine.
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Daniel De St. Leu was a watchmaker active between 1753 and 1797, and was appointed Watchmaker to the Queen in 1765. He specialized in making watches for the Turkish market. The present watch is notable for its large size and remarkable state of preservation. It is also unusual to find a watch by this maker retaining the original matching chatelaine. After De St. Leu’s death, his business was succeeded by David Rivers & Son.
Signed: Daniel de St. Leu London



































