Important Watches, Pocket Watches and...

Noga Hilton Hotel, Nov 13, 2005

LOT 46

?Pocket Chronometer? Howell, James & Co., 5, 7 & 9 Regent Street, London, No. 7560. Case by Frank Bennett with London hallmarks for 1867. Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold pocket chronometer with special ?Catherine Wheel? dial and Earnshaw type spring detent escapement and duo in uno balance spring.

CHF 7,000 - 10,000

EUR 4,500 - 6,500 / USD 5,500 - 8,000

C. Four-body, " bassine et filets", polished and engine turned, back with monogram. Hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with baton hour and minute divisions, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "Baton" hands. M. 19''', frosted gilt, half-plate, jeweled to the third in screwed chaton, fusee and chain, Harrison?s maintaining power, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, gold escape wheel with end-stones in screwed chaton, diamond endstone, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold and platinum timing screws, free-sprung blued steel duo in uno balance spring. Movement signed. Diam. 53 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Howell, James & Co., 1819-1911 Jewelers and silversmiths of Regent Street, London. Founded as silk mercers and retail jewelers, they rapidly expanded, employing a staff of over 100 by 1865. Noted for their variety and quality of stock, including items by designers and students of the South Kensington School, they exhibited in London in 1851 and 1862; in Paris in 1867; and at London in 1871 and 1872 when they showed jewelry by C. Eastlake, M. Wyatt, F. Leighton and L.F. Day. From 1876, Howell, James & Co. held a series of popular exhibitions of ceramics painted by amateurs. The company's 1878 Paris Exhibition stand was designed by L.F. Day, who also contributed designs for Aesthetic Movement clocks along with the architect Thomas Harris. The firm stocked silver goods by J. Dixon & Co., Dresser's Linthorpe Pottery and Brannam Pottery from 1880 to 1889, when their employee, J. Llewellyn, moved to Liberty & Co. taking exclusive selling rights with him. The premises were reconstructed in 1881, incorporating art pottery galleries, where they held an exhibition of architectural faience made by Brumantofts to M.B. Adams designs.