Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Jun 22, 2013

LOT 238

WILLIAM ANTHONY DIAMOND SNOWFLAKE William Anthony, No. 1721. The case with London hallmarks for 1796-97. Very fine, large, 18K gold and enamel, pearl and diamond set pocket watch.

HKD 70,000 - 100,000

USD 9,000 - 13,000 / CHF 8,400 - 12,000

C. Two-body, ?Directoire?, by Jonah Mince (mastermark IM), back decorated with translucent Imperial blue enamel over elaborate engine-turning with rose-cut diamond-set applied rosette and large split-pearl in the center, azure enamel frame with red enamel dots, pearl-set bezels and pendant. Hinged gilt cuvette fixed to the movement ring.
D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions. Gold arrowhead hands.
M. 42 mm., Hessen-type gilt brass full plate, finely foliate chased and engraved, fusee and chain, cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, 3-arm steel balance, flat balance- spring, single-footed solid engraved cock with diamond endstone, index regulator. Cuvette signed. Diam. 59 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-75

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Slightly restored soft enamel
Movement: 3**

Good

Repair required, at buyer's expense
Dial: 5-24-71-01

Poor

Slightly chipped

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines

HANDS Original

Notes

William Anthony Born circa 1765, William Anthony worked in Red Lion Street, St John?s Square, Clerkenwell, where he made high-end, decorative watches for the Chinese market. One of his well-known style includes oval dials and hands that are jointed to automatically adjust to the changing radius of the dial as they travel round. As a successful tradesman, Anthony played an active part in founding the Watch- and Clock-makers? Benevolent Association in 1815. However, after establishing the association, he suffered a series of losses following the unsuccessful litigation with Grimaldi & Johnson; an ill-fated attempt to set up a commercial exhibition in the Somerset Gallery, Strand, of Commonwealth presenting the Stuart costume displayed on wax models. He died in straitened circumstances in 1844.