Automaton Pocket Watch

A rare automaton dial watch in silver pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance cock. Four round baluster pillars, blued screws and Bosley type regulator.

Signed Jas. Fletcher, ROTHERHAM and numbered 6870.

Working, and in good condition.

DIAL : Polychrome enamel dial, showing a fishing scene. Beautifully painted, with lake, house, hills, windmill and fisherman with rod. The sails on the windmill, which are nicely made and painted, rotate.

The dial is in good condition, with just a flake and minor damage right on the edge at 5. A few light scratches.

Blued steel hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with London hallmarks for 1823, and case maker’s mark JA. Engraved ‘Cook’ on the back.

In good condition. The bezel snaps shut firmly, though one of the hinge sleeves is detached from the hinge, but is still present.

The high dome crystal is good.

OUTER CASE : A silver pair case, with hallmarks and maker’s mark matching the inner.

In very good condition. The catch button is dented, but the catch and hinge are fine and the case snaps shut.

James Fletcher of Bridge Gate, Rotherham, is listed between 1790 and 1822.

The case maker is Thomas Carpenter of Islington Road, London.