Fine gold verge with Queen Anne’s Coat of Arms Circa 1700

Gold quarter repeating verge in decorative pair cases by Charlepose
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An English exceptionally fine and equally important, of Royal provenance, gold and gem-set, quarter repeating watch, striking on a bell with Queen Anne’s Royal Arms, circa 1700.
Two cases: a 22-carat gold outer case, back with five lapis lazuli cartouches, cut diamonds, emeralds and rubies, openwork border applied with chased gold scrolls and a similarly decorated bezel on the front; and a 22-carat gold inner case, splendidly pierced and engraved with a mask, exotic birds and acanthus scrolls and rear bell. Silver movement protection cap engraved with the arms of Queen Anne. Gold champlevé signed dial with inlaid radial Roman hours and blued hands. Full plate movement, keywind, fire gilt, signed, applied florally engraved and pierced ornaments, chain/fusee, early baluster pillars, two hammers, verge escapement, fine florally engraved and pierced balance cock.
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Diameter: 47 mm
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Weight: 121 g
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Signed: Charlepose, London
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This watch is described in: “Old clocks and watches & their makers” by Britten, F. J. (Frederick James), London 1904.–
The appearance of the watch is striking— the outer case, on its own, is quite splendid, consisting of the various gems set in gold, among which are interspersed reserves of gold, pierced and engraved in foliate fashion. The gold inner case is pierced and engraved around the deep band with a mask, exotic birds among the foliage.
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Queen Anne’s watches are rare. We know more of them from written sources than from surviving examples. The Countess of Ilchester had a “jewelled watch” belonging to the queen which was exhibited at “Royal Treasures” held in London between April 13, and May 22, 1937 (exhibit No. 518). In the Bernal Collection, there was a watch given by Queen Anne to the Duchess of Marlborough.

The lavishness of this watch, especially the precious stones, suggests that the Queen purchased it having in mind a gift to Russia’s court, with whom England had diplomatic and commercial relationships from the time of Ivan the Terrible. The queen needed presents for Peter the Great as well as Ivan V a few times each year. Such a watch was a perfect gift.

In Russia watches set with gems were fashionable among the royalty and the wealthy. The Kremlin Museum has a number of them including one, but the same in style, with the amethyst case set with diamonds (Inv. M3-4093), a gem-set watch by Peter Parquot, London, made probably in a Dresden workshop, with rock crystal and enamel case from the beginning of the 18th century from the Cabinet of Nicolas II (Inv. M3-4143).

It is quite likely that this watch is also from the same collection, and that it found its way out of the country during or after the Bolshevik Revolution.
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Anne Stuart (1665-1714)
She became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Acts of Union, two of her realms, the kingdoms of England and Scotland, united as a single sovereign state known as Great Britain. She continued to reign as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland until her death.