Geneva, May 12, 2024

LOT 271

THOMAS PREST, ENGLAND, WANDERING HOUR AND MINUTE WITH SPLITTABLE SECONDS, 18K YELLOW GOLD

CHF 7,000 - 14,000

HKD 61,000 - 122,000 / USD 7,800 - 15,500 / EUR 7,200 - 14,300

Sold: CHF 10,625

A highly rare and unusual 18k gold, manual wind openface pocket watch, wandering hour and minute with splittable seconds the hands split/one hand stopped by depressing a button in the pendant. Engine-turned gilt dial with engraved scroll and foliage decoration.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-11

Good

Slightly worn
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Brand Thomas Prest, England

Year London hallmark for 1840

Movement No. 527

Diameter 51 mm.

Caliber 19''', full plate gilt-finished keywound movement, bimetallic compensation balance, diamond endstone

Signature Movement, casemaker's mark "HH"

Accessories Accompanied by a gold and lapis lazuli chain and key.

Notes

The English watchmaker Thomas Prest distinguished himself as one of John Roger Arnold's most skilled artisans, renowned for crafting some of Arnold's finest timepieces. In 1820, he innovated a keyless winding mechanism, securing patent no. 4501, a design occasionally adopted by Arnold himself.

Following this success, Prest ventured into independent entrepreneurship, establishing his own enterprise at Chigwell Row. Upon his passing in 1855, his legacy endured through the continuation of his business by his son, also named Thomas Prest.