Important Jewelry, Watches and Wristw...

Hong Kong, Furama Hotel, Jun 07, 1999

LOT 462

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.

HKD 50,000 - 70,000

USD 8,000 - 10,000

C. Double body outer, the bezel chased with fruits and flowers and pierced with scrolling foliage. The back repousse with an allegorical scene depicting Venus and Adonis, the border with medallions repousse 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 pillars, fusee 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.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: *4-6

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Slightly oxidized
Dial: 4-6-04

Fair

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Later

Notes

During the second half of the 18th century, several watches had their silver or gold champleve dials, replaced by enamel dials, at the request of their owners. The enamel dials being clearer to read in weak light. Clay Charles, 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 to the same end as Mr. Clay's. The Attorney General reported in favour of Mr. Clay. The Clockmakers' Company however opposed Mr. Clay, and after a fierce fight, spanning 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."