Mid 18thc. London Gold Clockwatch

This is a rare mid 18th century gold clockwatch, automatically striking the hours on a bell, and with a repeat on demand.

MOVEMENT : A fine quality gilded fusee verge movement, with beautifully engraved and pierced balance cock, featuring a mask to the neck and scrolls and foliage to the table and plate. The strike barrel is also engraved, with a mask to the centre.

Three Egyptian pillars and two crested round baluster pillars.

Signed S. STRETCH, BRISTOLL.

The steel hammer automatically strikes the bell on the hour, once for each hour. A steel lever at 11 repeats the hourly strike on demand.

A lever on the edge of the dial at 2 should disable or enable the automatic strike but this doesn’t function.

In good condition, running and striking correctly (though slightly out of sync, chiming 4 minutes early).

DIAL : The white enamel dial is in reasonable condition though there are scratches around the edge between 2 and 4, some small ships at the opening catch at 6, and some wear/scratches around the central aperture.

Good 18th century blued steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : 22 carat gold, hallmarked under the bell for London, 1765, maker RP.

Engraved and pierced around the band, with the steel bell screwed to the inside back.

In reasonable condition. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut. There are a few small dents to the back and band, the stem has been reattached (though is probably original), and there is some damage and a small split to the side, just to the left of the stem.

The high dome crystal is good. The bell is in perfect condition with a nice clear ring.

This gold inner case weights about 32 gms. excluding the crystal.

OUTER CASE : A gilt and green leather pair case, with sound holes to the bezel and sides of the back.

The green leather is worn and rubbed, with pieces missing to the bezel and back. The pique work pins are almost complete with just 2 missing on the bezel and also 2 on the back. The gilt rings from the sound holes are all missing except for 1 on the bezel and 1 on the back.

The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the case snaps shut. A gilt button on the bezel at 11 allows the repeat to be activated without opening the case,

Samuel Stretch who worked in Bristol was born in 1739 and apprenticed to his uncle Benjamin Stretch in 1753.

The case maker is probably Richard Palmer of Clerkenwell, London