Important Watches Wristwatches, and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 02, 2000

LOT 200

Charles Clay, Inventor of the Machine Watches, Strand (London), circa 1750.Fine 22K gold pair cased, quarter striking clock-watch, quarter repeating with an independent train.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 13,800

C. Double body outer, the bezel chased with fruit and flowers and pierced with scrolling foliage. The back repoussé with an allegorical scene depicting Venus and Adonis, the border with medallions repoussé with a symbolic representation of the four seasons and pierced with inhabited foliage. D. White enamel, custom made, slightly later, with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Blued steel ?poker and beetle? hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate double train with turned baluster pillarsfusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring. Gilt brass cock pierced and engraved with a mask and inhabited foliage. Striking train with fixed gilt brass barrel with revolving arbor, striking on a bell; repeating by depressing the pendant with an independent train. Silver dust cap.Signed on the dust cap and back plate.Diam. 59 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: * 4 - 6
Dial: 30 - 04

Notes

During the second half of the 18th century, several watches had their silver or gold champlevé dials replaced by enamel dials, at the request of their owners. The enamel dials being clearer to read in weak light.Charles Clay, who worked in Stockton, Yorkshire, petitioned Parliament for a patent in respect to a repeating and musical watch or clock. Mr. Quare produced a watch with similar features asMr. Clay?s. The Attorney General reported in favour of Mr. Clay. The Clockmakers? Company however opposed Mr. Clay, and after a fierce fight, extending from February 1716 to the latter part of 1717, the patent was not granted. He seems to have lived subsequently in the Strand. He made an outstanding musical clock for the Royal Family. He was the inventor of a quarter repeating watch holder. He usually signed his watches and clocks: Charles Clay, Inventor of the Machine Watches, Strand, London.