Swiss automatic winding cylinder pocket watch Circa 1790

Gold watch with early oscillating weight winding movement by Salvatore Micallef
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An important automatic Swiss gentleman’s pocket watch with an early oscillating weight winding movement and cylinder escapement, circa 1790.
22 carat pink gold polished case with engraved case band, case maker’s punch mark “LMJ” and large lateral hinge. Enamel dial with radial Roman numerals and sun hands. Full plate movement, firegilt and signed, with early oscillating weight winding movement according to Moijse Gevril Fils Le Locle, large barrel, conical pillars and three-arm balance.
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Diameter: 45 mm
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Weight: 79 g
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Signed: Salvatore Micallef à Malte
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The records show that Salvatore Micallef was a clockmaker in Malta in the 18th century. The watch, however, was produced in Switzerland and sold under the name Micallef & Giglio after having been imported onto the island. Similar watches are illustrated and described in “The Self-Winding Watch – 18th-21st Century” by Jean-Claude Sabrier, Paris 2011.