English gilt quarter striking cylinder coachwatch Circa 1785

Coach watch with centre seconds and moon phase
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A rare English impressive and large pair cased two train gilt metal and paste set quarter striking cylinder coach watch with centre seconds and indication for phases and ages of the moon made for the Chinese market, circa 1785, gilded full plate movement, cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with scrolling foliage, a mask at the neck, diamond endstone, broad engraved foot, fusee and chain for going train, cylindrical pillars, gilt metal dust cap, movement and dust cap signed.
White enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute/seconds ring calibrated for fifths, inner red Arabic ring for phases and ages of the moon, gold beetle and poker hands, gold hands for centre seconds and moon indication both with cross ribbing and half moon tails.
Gilt metal inner case, levers to the bezel at 11 o’clock for strike/silent and at 3 for adjustment of moon hand, decoratively pierced band engraved with scrolling foliage inhabited by birds’ heads, the back engraved with a plant flowering around the winding apertures and surmounted by an eagle with outstretched wings, stirrup pendant and bow with chased leaf form sides, gilt metal outer case, the paste set bezels pierced with scrolling engraved decoration, the back centred with a flowering peony, outer case with maker’s mark WC for William Carpenter.
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Diameter: 139 mm
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Signed: Timy. Williamson London
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This large and impressive quarter striking coach watch is typical of designs that were popular for export to the Chinese market, a market with which Williamson had prominent links. The outer case is engraved with a peony, a popular motif in China. Timothy Williamson was trained as a goldsmith and as Roger Smith has noted in an article for Antiquarian Horology (No. 5, Vol. 30, March 2008, p.643) although Williamson almost certainly organised the design and construction of his distinctive cases, the movements may well have been supplied by William Hughes with whom Williamson was closely associated.
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Timothy Williamson was active from 1769-1788, first at the Strand and later at Great Russell Street.