English gold clock watch made for Turkish market Circa 1815

Kenmerk: SB0752
Diameter: 61 mm

Estimate: € 6.000 - 12.000
Price sold: € 6.650

Gold quarter striking verge in pair cases by Daniel de St Leu
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An English gold pair cased quarter striking clock watch made for the Turkish market, circa 1815. Gilt full plate movement with a verge escapement, and pierced and engraved balance cock. A gilt metal dust cover. White enamel dial with Turkish numerals and poker & beetle hands. The inner case is finely chased and engraved with a floral motif and has pierced decoration on the band, the outer case is engraved with a military trophy and has a pierced bezel and band. Dial and movement signed, dust cover signed and numbered, case maker’s mark IP.
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Diameter: 61 mm
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Signed: Dan De St Leu Watch Ma to her Majesty London
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Daniel de St. Leu originally came from Geneva and was active from 1753 to 1797. He created some of the finest and intricate watches of the 18th century. In 1765, he was appointed watchmaker to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III. The fact that all of his watches after this year are either signed ‘Sevt. to her Majesty’ or ‘Watch Maker to her Majesty’ is proof that he held this title for the rest of his life.

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De St. Leu specialized in the production of watches for the wealthy Ottoman market, where the clientele wanted their watches to be pieces of jewellery, often in lavish gold cases with elaborate decoration and set with precious stones. In the 18th century, English watches were very much in demand on the Ottoman market and exported in great numbers from England. R. Rolt states in ‘A New Dictionary of Trade and Commerce’, 1756, that “Great quantities of watches are exported to Asia, particularly to Turkey, where they serve more for ornaments like pictures in rooms, than for use in pockets.” Daniel de St. Leu created movements of superior quality and put them in extravagant cases, the perfect timepieces for the Ottoman market.

Signed: Dan De St Leu Watch Ma to her Majesty London