33,040 HKD
James McCabe, London, No. 3724, circa 1790. Very fine and elegant 18K gold and enamel, pearl-set watch. Two-body, back with translucent Imperial blue enamel over elaborate engine-turning, pearl-set bezels. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, winding aperture at 4. Gold “spade” hands. 37 mm, hinged, frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, lateral lever escapement, steel balance with flat balance spring, singlefooted cock with diamond endstone. Signed on the movement. Diam. 53 mm. Notes James Mc Cabe One of three horologist sons of Irish watch and clockmaker William Mc Cabe, who moved to London in the late 18th century. In 1781 he was made honorary freeman of the Clockmaker's Company, and took up the livery in 1787. He was succeeded by his son, also named James, who became free of the London Clockmaker's Company in 1822. The business was continued by Mc Cabe's nephew, Robert Jeremy Mc Cabe, who closed the firm on his retirement in 1883. Literature: "Carriage Clocks, their History & Development", Charles Allix and Peter Bonnert, Woodbridge, 1974, pp. 278-81."Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers", F.J. Britten, London, 1932, pp. 792-3.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-06-02
