Clockwatch by Cornelius Herbert, London

A beautiful quality early London clockwatch, in exceptional condition, in later silver pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Signed (Corn. Herbert, London Bridge) verge clockwatch movement, numbered 813.

Engraved and pierced winged balance cock, strike barrel and plate, with foliage engraving and mask to the balance cock. Fine Egyptian (3) and balluster (2) pillars. Diamond endstone and blued screws.

Two winding arbors, one through the balance cock which winds the fusee, and the other winds the strike barrel.

On the passing hour the hammer strikes the steel bell (inner case) for each hour. A lever on the side of the movement at 2 o’clock slides to disable the hourly chime.

All in exceptional condition, running well and striking correctly.

DIAL : A fine, later, white enamel dial. Blued steel beetle and poker hour hands.

Excellent condition except for a light scratch just to the left of centre, and a light hairline from the centre towards 2.

INNER CASE : Heavy pierced silver case, with London hallmarks for 1820.

All in good condition. The steel bell, screwed to the inside is fine with no damage or repairs. The hinge and high dome crystal are fine and the bezel snaps shut.

OUTER CASE : Heavy silver case, with matching hallmarks to the inner, and maker’s mark WBCH. Engraved on the back with a family crest and the letter N.

The hinge, catch and catch button are all fine, and the bezels snaps shut. The silver is in good condition. There is a join mark only visible on the inside of the bezel but this may be part of the manufacture rather than a repair.

Cornelius Herbert worked at London Bridge from about 1660 until his death in 1710.

The silver cases, dial and hands were probably all added to this movement in 1820. The case is of very heavy gauge, fine quality and certainly made specially for this movement (also probably the dial). The case makers are William Bush & Charles Hazle of Clerkenwell.