J.Snelling, London, circa 1750. Very fine gold and enamel pair-cased quarterrepeating watch. | Important Collectors Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Clock | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 20th October 1991

Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 20, 1991

LOT 254

J.Snelling, London, circa 1750. Very fine gold and enamel pair-cased quarterrepeating watch.

CHF 26,000 - 30,000

C. Double body outer, pierced and engraved with foliage, vignettes on the bezel and back embossed in high relief and enamelled with flowers and four vignettes representing the four elements depicted by animals,the inset centre panel with birds and flowers on matted ground. Inner, double body pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage and grotesque mask (makers mark LW.). D. Gold champlevé, Roman and Arabic numerals, centre cartouche in reserve. Blued-steel "moon" hands. M. Full-plate of gilt brass, turned pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain balance, flat spring and regulator with gold disc, florally pierced and engraved silver regulator and balance cocks. Quarter-repeating on a bell and a-toc, gilt dust cap. Signed on back plate, dial and dust cap. In very good condition.

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Notes

This form of enamelling in high relief on a white ground is often attributed to the English goldsmith Alexander J. Strachan,but in fact he was only working from the latter part of the Regency period.The technique was rarely applied to watches during the 18th.century,and may well have originated in Germany.