German large 18K gold verge watch with carillon strike Circa 1800

Gold pocket watch with carillon strike
–
An unusually large verge watch with carillon strike made by the Gebrüder Kin(t)zing in Neuwied, Germany, circa 1800. The numbered case of this watch, crafted from 18 carat gold, features a coined band and a sunray engine turned back lid with a vacant cartouche. The white enamel dial bears Arabic hour numerals, an outer minute track, and hands made from steel and gold. The magnificently decorated movement features a verge escapement with a three hammer striking mechanism and a carillon for the quarter hour strike.
The cuvette is signed.
–
Diameter: 55.5 mm
–
Weight: 135 g
–
Signed: Gebrüder Kintzing in Neuwied
–
Kin(t)zig
Peter Kinzing came from the watchmaker family Kinzing (Kintzing), who belonged to the religious community of the Mennonites in Neuwied. He was a court watchmaker. The Kin(t)zing family achieved fame in Europe in the 18^th century through their collaboration with the family of cabinetmakers around Abraham and David Roentgen. Important members of the family were Christian Kintzing (1707-1804) and his son Peter Kinzing (1745-1816).

From 1770, there was intensive collaboration between the Kinzing watchmaker’s workshop and the Roentgen carpentry workshop. Together with David Roentgen, he travelled to Paris several times, where he was appointed ‘horloger de la reine’ (watchmaker to the Queen) by Marie-Antoinette. Among other things, Kinzing and Roentgen made the mechanical music automaton La Joueuse de tympanon for Marie-Antoinette, which was considered the highlight of technology at the time.

Today, Kinzing watches can be found in the collections of major museums worldwide.