WHICHCOTE

WHICHCOTE, ENGLISH QUARTER REPEATING WATCH & CHATELAINE Samuel Whichcote, London, No. 690. The inner case with London hallmarks for 1736, the dial, outer case and chatelaine, circa 1770. Very fine and rare, George II and George III, 18K. gold and enamel, pair cased, quarter repeating watch with the original gold, enamel and gilt chatelaine with gold and enamel key and tassels. Outer: double body, the back with a fi ne translucent royal blue enamel panel over engine-turning, border decorated with a band of translucent royal blue enamel with gold paillon stars, fl anked each side by a white enamel repeated heart pattern, bezel decorated to match. Inner: double body, bassine, mastermark "IW", the band fi nely pierced and engraved with a mask and foliate decoration. Silver dust cap. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and outer Arabic fi ve-minuet numerals. Gold beetle and poker hands. Hinged gilt brass full plate with turned pillars, fusee with chain, plain brass three-arm balance, fl at balance spring, gilt brass cock fi nely pierced and engraved with a mask, large diamond endstone, repeating on a bell in the back of the case activated by depressing the pendant. Movement and dust cap signed. Diam. 49 mm. Notes The present watch and chatelaine are fi ne and beautifully preserved examples of the work of the English neo-Classical goldsmith. The very fi ne inner case and movement date from 1736, the watch would then have been lavishly refi tted and u Read more…