Family LoveIlbery

Family LoveIlbery, London, No. 6249, made for the Chinese market, circa 1830.Very fine 18K gold and enamel, pearl-set, center-seconds watch. Double-body, "Empire", with fixed bezel, the band with a fine champlevé enamel floral decoration on a black ground, split pearl-set bezels, pendant and bow with a champlevé enameled decoration, the back enamel panel painted with a family scene, a young couple presenting a peach to their child. Hinged gold cuvette engraved with decoration. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute ring and subsidiary seconds. Gold "spade" hands. Notes William Ilbery, (?-1839)Active in London from 1780 in Goswell Street, he moved to Duncan Terrace towards the end of the 18th century. Following James Cox in London and Jaquet Droz in Switzerland, he too specialized in the production of luxury watches for the Chinese market. His early production was very much in the English style, featuring a full plate movement and an English type single wheel duplex escapement; however, for his highest quality watches, he incorporated a spring detent escapement. The cases were also vey much in the style of those produced in England at the time. Later, along with Jaquet Droz's Swiss production signed in London and that of William Anthony who worked in London, the watch movements he produced were much inspired by the Lepine caliber with free-standing barrel. In fact he set a new standard for all watches made for the Asian market. He organized the production of