Purple Bouquet” Charman & Co

“Purple Bouquet” Charman & Co. , London, No. 9055, the case by Louis Comptees, London hallmarks for 1816-1817, made for the Chinese market. Very fine and rare, large 18K gold, painted on enamel, pearlset pocket watch. with fixed cuvette, reeded band, split pearl-set bezels, pendant and bow, the back painted on enamel with a fine bouquet of summer flowers against translucent purple enamel over sunburst engine-turning, the border decorated in champlevé enamel. Spring-loaded back opened by a push-piece in the pendant. Gilded dust-cap finely engraved with scrolling foliage. D. Off-white enamel with radial Roman Off-white enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Gold "spade and poker" hands. Notes It is very rare to find a background of this color; they are usually in red, blue, pink or lavender tones. During the early 19th century, there was a great deal of competition between English and Swiss makers for the lucrative Chinese market. One can distinguish between wtaches made in Switzerland for this market and those made in London. The English style, by such makers as Anthony, Ilbery, and Charman can be identified by the finish of the movement and the way it is fitted into the case (usually with a fixed cuvette). Some watches were made in Switzerland mimicking the English style, due to the prestige attached to a London-signed watch.