Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 16, 2005

LOT 36

?Bishamon? John Ilbery, London, No. 1084. Made for the Japanese market circa 1780. Fine, gilt brass, silver, pearl and paste set astronomic quarter striking pair-cased clockwatch with center seconds and lunar calendar.

CHF 16,000 - 21,000

EUR 10,000 - 14,000 / USD 13,000 - 17,000

C. Outer: two-body, pierced, chased and engraved band, the bezel set with green pastes and half-pearls, the back set with an engraved silver panel depicting Chinese figures, including one likely representing the god Bishamon, in a landscape. Inner: two-body, the band pierced with scrolling foliage, and engraved with swags and vases. D. White enamel, eccentric meantime dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and Arabic quarter hour numerals, outer seconds dial with fifth of a second markers and Arabic five second numerals, subsidiary lunar calendar and strike/silent dials. Gold ?beetle and poker? hands. M. 43 mm., gilt brass full plate with tapered cylindrical pillars, chased and engraved backplate furniture, fusee with chain, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance, flat balance spring, diamond endstone, striking with two hammers on a bell, seconds stop slide under the bezel, gilt dust cover. Dust cover and movement signed. Diam. 68 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 4-14-18-66

Fair

Damaged

Spotted
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-14-01

Good

Damaged

HANDS Original

Notes

John & William Ilbery Are very well known as being among the best makers who specialized in luxurious watches for the Chinese market. It is interesting to point out the similarities between the watch now offered and the earliest production of William Ilbery. It reveals that William was probably the son of John or at least a relative and successor and that watches for the Eastern market were already produced in the workshop in the time of John. Bishamon The god of happiness and war, Bishamon protects men from demons and disease. Among the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, he is regarded as a god of wealth. Japanese legend holds that Bishamon grants good fortune more swiftly than the flight of an arrow from the bow. The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum Hong Kong, on June 18, 1994, lot 169.