Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 725

Red Bouquet D & W. Morice, Fenchurch Street, London, No. 6191. Made for the Chinese market, the case with London hallmarks for 1820-1821. Very fine and rare, large and heavy, 18K gold, painted on enamel and pearl-set pocket watch with center-seconds.

CHF 35,000 - 45,000

USD 32,000 - 42,000 / EUR 22,000 - 28,000

C. Three-body, "Empire", master mark TW, matte band with repeated circle pattern, split pearl-set bezels, pendant and bow, the back painted on enamel with a fine bouquet of summer flowers against translucent red enamel over sunburst engine-turning, the scalloped border decorated in white and light blue champlevé enamel, spring-loaded back opened by a push-piece in the pendant. Fixed gold cuvette, gilt dust-cap. D.White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute and seconds divisions. Gold Breguet hands. M. 46 mm, hinged, full-plate, matte gilt, fusee and chain, ringed cylindrical pillars, cylinder escapement, brass three-arm balance, the balance and the brass escape wheel jeweled, flat balance spring with Joseph Bosley patented regulator, gilded cock engraved with scrolling foliage, diamond endstone. Dial, cuvette and movement signed, case and movement numbered. Diam. 56 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3**

Good

Repair required, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

During the early 19th century, there was a great deal of competition between English and Swiss makers for the lucrative Chinese market. One can distinguish between watches made in Switzerland for this market and those made in London. The English style, by such makers as Anthony, Ilbery, Morice and Charman, can be identified by the finish of the movement and the way it is fitted into the case (usually with a fixed cuvette), the case itself is much heavier and thicker gold then its Swiss counterpart. Some watches were made in Switzerland mimicking the English style, due to the prestige attached to a London-signed watch.
David & William Morice Working in Fenchurch Street, London between 1805 and 1825.
For a note on the symbolism of flowers, see lot 724.