Important Watches, Pocket Watches and...

Noga Hilton Hotel, Nov 13, 2005

LOT 35

James Mc Cabe, London, No. 2401. Case by John Clarke with London hallmark for 1788. Fine, 18K yellow gold pair-cased pocket watch.

CHF 5,000 - 7,000

EUR 3,200 - 4,500 / USD 4,000 - 5,500

C. Outer: two-body, engraved with flower, scroll and dot decoration, vacant oval cartouche. Inner: two-body, polished. Gilt brass dust cover. D. White enamel with radial Arabic numerals and outer dot minute track. Gold ?arrow? hands. M. 37 mm., frosted gilt full-plate, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance with perpendicular stop-pin, flat balance spring, pierced and engraved balance cock, diamond endstone, silvered regulation dial. Movement signed. Diam. 52 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-7

Good

Oxidized
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

James Mc Cabe One of three horologist sons of Irish watch and clockmaker William Mc Cabe, who moved to London in the third quarter of the 18th century. In April 1781 he was made honorary freeman of the Clockmaker's Company, and took up the livery in 1787. Although Mc Cabe used a wide variety of escapements, he is particularly associated with the improvement of the duplex escapement. On his death in 1811 he was Senior Warden of the Mc Cabe Company. He was succeeded by his son, also named James, who became free of the London Clockmaker's Company in 1822. Subsequently the business was continued by Mc Cabe's nephew, Robert Jeremy Mc Cabe, who closed the firm on his retirement in 1883. Literature: "Carriage Clocks, their History & Development", Charles Allix and Peter Bonnert, Woodbridge, 1974, pp. 278-81."Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers", F.J. Britten, London, 1932, pp. 792-3.