Geneva, May 14, 2023
LOT 86
CHF 20,000 - 40,000
EUR 20,400 - 40,700 / USD 22,600 - 45,100 / HKD 178,000 - 354,000TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE
Sold: CHF 42,500
Open face consular case made by Valentin Walker originally gilded.
White enamel dial ''regulator'' type, the inscription ''Emery London'' originally appeared across the center of the dial, later removed almost completely, but still faintly visible viewed with a lens.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 2-11 |
Very good Slightly worn |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-24-01 |
Good Slightly chipped HANDS Original |
Brand Richard Pendleton, England
Year London hallmarks for 1797
Movement No. 175
Material Silver
Diameter 60 mm.
Caliber 21''',gilt brass, full plate, cylindrical pillars, fusee with Harrison's maintaining power and chain, going train with a high number of leaves and teeth, lever escapement, patented ''double S'' balance with two gold mean screws and two gold compensating nuts screwed onto threaded posts fixed to the free ends of the S-shaped bimetallic strips, free-sprung helical balance spring, jeweled to the third wheel, fusee also jeweled, The mainteining power for the fusee is unusual, in having its ratchet wheel inset beneath the great wheel, above the maintaining detent which is pivoted on the inside of the front plate. Double-footed Emery-type cock with diamond endstone, curious balance stopping device acting vertically, as opposed to the usual lateral manner.
Signature Movement and dust cap, casemaker's mark "V.W." for Valentin Walker
Notes
The first example was incorporated in a small precision clock which was seen and recorded in his diary by a visitor, Thomas Bugge, in 1752.
The first example in a watch has a hallmark for 1769. The watch was given to the king, George III, who gave it to his wife. it is usually referred to a Queen's watch. Mudge made very few other examples, but incorporated it in a clock he had previously made for his patron, Count Bruhl. Bruhl was very enthusiastic about the escapement which Mudge was no longer developing.
He had turned his attention to the development of a marine timekeeper which he hoped might win a part of the Longitude Prize not already awarded to John Harrison.
However, Count Bruhl persuaded him to make a model of his escapement which was given to Josiah Emery, who then made a series of pocket watches using the design of the new escapement.
At least one of the series was exported to France, where the escapement was rapidly developed by Robin, Lepine, Breguet and other. Mudge’s son later stated that the escapement for all Emery’s lever watches had been made by Richard Pendleton. When Emery died only three have survived that are know, No 172 is in the British Museum, and No 180 belonged to Sam Clutton and then went to the Time Museum in America. No 175 is the only one of the three to still have its original case, the other two have lost theirs. The erased inscription on the dial clearly confirms that it was originally intended to form part of Emery's series.