Stock No. : 0540
Thomas Windmills
London, 1731
Gold pair cases
Lever conversion, quarter repeating movement
Sold
This is a 22 carat gold pair cased watch with a quarter repeating converted lever movement.
MOVEMENT : Beautiful gilded fusee movement, with engraved and pierced balance cock, and large diamond endstone. Signed (Windmills, LONDON) and numbered (9001). This movement is a lever conversion, probably of the late 18th century. The conversion has been very well done and the movement is running well. The repeating mechanism works correctly, striking one bell for the hours and two for the quarters. The movement is protected by a removable gilt metal dustcover, which is signed and numbered as the movement.
DIAL : The later (again late 18th century) white enamel dial is 37.5 mm in diameter. No repairs but some surface scratches and small chips around the edge and around the centre hole. Nice original steel hour hand but later minute hand.
INNER CASE : 22 carat gold, 43.1 mm in diameter. Wonderfully pierced and engraved, with hallmarks for London 1731, maker IW. Very good condition. The hinge is fine and the case closes nicely. Good high dome bull’s eye crystal with no damage.
OUTER CASE : 22 carat gold, 50.5 mm in diameter. A later heavy plain gold case, hallmarked for London, 1781, maker ITP. This case is a perfect fit for the inner and was probably made as a replacement for this watch (possible when the movement was converted and the enamel dial added).
The case is in excellent condition, with very little wear, though there are some very light dents on the back, and the catch button has worn. The hinge and catch are fine and the case closes nicely.
The gold pair cases weigh about 65 gms in total (without movement and bell).
Thomas Windmills, son of Joseph Windmills, is listed in London up until 1732.