Important Collector's Watches, Pocket...
Geneva, Nov 11, 2007
LOT 39
?Double-Dialed? Ilbery, London. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1780. Fine and rare, gilt brass and paste-set, astronomic, double-dialed pocket watch with two independent mean time dials, center seconds, calendar and lunar calendar with indications for the waxing and waning of the moon.
CHF 15,000 - 20,000
EUR 9,000 - 12,000 / USD 13,000 - 17,000
Sold: CHF 16,520
C. Two-body, ?bassine?, foliate chased and engraved band, both sides glazed, the bezels set with red and white pastes. D. First: white enamel, regulator-type, eccentric mean time dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, outer seconds dial with fifth of a second divisions and Arabic five second numerals, subsidiary date and regulation dials. Second: White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer dot minute divisions and Arabic five-minute numerals, inner lunar calendar with symbols indicating the waxing and waning of the moon. Gold ?beetle and poker? and ?spade? hands, ?arrow? hand for the lunar calendar. M. 45 mm., gilt brass full plate with tapered cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance, flat balance spring, regulation via the dial, seconds stop slide under the bezel. Dial signed. Diam. 58 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-6 |
Good Slightly oxidized |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-59-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
Active in London from 1780 in Goswell Street, he moved to Duncan Terrace towards the end of the 18th century. Following James Cox in London and Jaquet Droz in Switzerland, he also specialised in the production of luxury watches for the Chinese Market. His early production was very much in the English style, featuring a full plate movement and an English type single wheel duplex escapement. However, for his highest quality watches, he incorporated a spring detent escapement. Later, the watch movements he produced were much inspired by the Lepine caliber with free-standing barrel, as were Jaquet Droz?s Swiss production signed in London and that of William Anthony, who worked in London. The cases of his watches were sumptuously decorated by the best Genevan enamelers, such as Jean-Francois-Victor Dupont, who usually signed his work, and Jean-Louis Richter, who signed rarely.
He organized the production in Switzerland, mainly in Fleurier, of profusely engraved movements for the Asian market. He was followed in this by makers such as Bovet and Juvet who also worked in Fleurier (Val de Travers). Ilbery can therefore be considered one of the most representative makers of ?Chinese? watches. He seems to have maintained close contacts with the continental trade since a watch signed ?Ilbery Paris? is known and Ilbery & Son are recorded in London and Fleurier, as well as in Canton.