Gray & Constable

Gray & Constable, London, circa 1790. Extremely rare and fine, large steel, silver and gold, oval pair cased watch with matching chatelaine and key. ". Inner double body, gold mounted, fully paved with cut-steel work decoration. Matching chatelaine and key. D. Oval white enamel with Breguet numerals and star minute divisions. Gold spade hands. M. Circular w Oval white enamel with Breguet numerals and star minute divisions. Gold spade hands. Circular with hinged gilt brass cuvette, Lepine calibre with free standing barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring. Signed on the dial. In very good condition. Dim. 77 x 66 mm. Notes Although it is signed by Gray & Constable, celebrated English makers from the end of the XVlllth century, the movement of this watch was obviously produced on the continent. According to Anthony North, steel expert and Assistant Curator of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the case with the cut-steel work decoration was certainly made either in Birmingham or Woodstock for the London market. According to Cedric Jagger in his book: The Artistry of the English watch, p.76, "decorative watchcases made from cut and polished steel formed part of the large output of novelties, jewellery and trinkets from the manufactory al Woodstock, in Oxfordshire. These are nowdays very rarely encountered, as so much steelwork suffered from the consequences of being destroyed by the rust". In France, early in 1789, jewellery made of st Read more…