English self strike watch for the Ottoman market Circa 1794

Gold pair-cased pocket watch by Daniel De Saint Leu
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An important English pair-cased gentleman’s verge pocket watch with quarter-hour self strike Grande Sonnerie for the Ottoman market, circa 1794.
Two cases: 18-carat rose gold outer case, elaborate engraved and pierced, with engraved articles of war in the centre and case maker’s punch mark IP; 18-carat rose gold inner case, lavishly florally engraved and pierced, with bell and signed and numbered movement protection cap. The signed dial is enamel with radial Ottoman numerals and Fleur de Lys hands. It has a full plate, florally engraved, keywind, signed fire gilt movement, chain/fusee, two hammers, solid movement pillars, three-arm brass balance, pierced balance cock, and lavishly hand engraved with entwined leaves.
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Diameter: 61 mm
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Weight: 183 g
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Signed: Daniel De Saint Leu, Watch Maker to her Majesty, London
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Daniel de St. (Saint) Leu originally came from Geneva and worked from 1753 to 1797; he created some of the most beautiful and elaborate clocks of the 18th century. In 1765 he was appointed royal watchmaker to Queen Charlotte at the court of George III. appointed in London; all de St. Leu’s watches after this date start with ‘Sevt. to her Majesty ‘, or’ Watch Maker to her Majesty ‘are confirmed that he held this post until the end of his life.

De St. Leu specialised in the manufacture of clocks for the affluent Ottoman market, where customers placed great importance on the fact that their clocks doubled as jewellery. The clocks mostly had richly decorated gold cases and were set with precious stones. In the 18th century, English clocks were in great demand on the Ottoman market and were exported there in large numbers. R. Rolt writes in ‘A New Dictionary of Trade and Commerce’, 1756, “A large number of clocks are exported to Asia, particularly Turkey, where they serve as decorative items such as pictures in the rooms rather than for use on the move. ” Daniel de St. Leu created movements of the highest quality and built them into unusual cases – pieces made for the Ottoman market. From him are bracket clocks and pocket watches known.