Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 10, 2013

LOT 377

WILLIAM CARPENTER - COACH WATCH FOR THE CHINESE MARKET William Carpenter, London, No. 4633. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1790. Very fine and rare, gilt metal and painted on enamel, small pair-cased coach watch with visible paste-set balance and ü second diablotine.

OUTER: Two-body, "bassine", the bezel engraved with a repeated pattern, the back set with a painted on enamel panel decorated with a scene of three female figures at the altar of love, border decorated to match the bezel. INNER : Two-body, bassine, polished. Gilt dust ring. White enamel, small hour dial at 12 with radial Roman numerals, subsidiary dials for the minutes, seconds, lunar calendar, ü second diablotine and regulation, aperture for the balance wheel decorated with alternating red and white pastes. Gold arrow hands. 52 mm. hinged dial plate, gilt brass full plate finely engraved with stylised foliage, tapered cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, five-arm gilt balance set with alternating red and white pastes, blued steel bridge. Movement signed.