WILLIAM ANTHONY, LONDON | A MAGNIFICENT AND VERY RARE 8-DAY GOLD, ENAMEL, SPLIT-PEARL AND DIAMOND-SET DUPLEX WATCH MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET1797, NO. 1898

• Movement: highly decoratively engraved gilded oval movement, duplex escapement, polished steel five-arm balance, diamond endstone, large decoratively engraved hanging barrel and five wheel train providing long duration, gilt-metal cuvette signed William Anthony, London, No. 1898 and with two apertures with corresponding engraved illustrations of a horse pulling a rope indicating the direction of wind and a pair of watch hands beside the off-set handset square• Dial: oval white enamel dial with subsidiary dials of equal size for time, Roman numerals for hours and minutes above subsidiary seconds with Arabic numerals, gold arrow hands for hours and minutes, counter-poised seconds hand, signed Wm Anthony, St John's Square, London• Case: oval case, the back centred with three diamonds and with diamond-set surround, framed by an inner row of pearls and scroll-form gold wire work set with pearls, two outer bands formed of repeated gold triangular motifs heightened with translucent red and opaque red enamel within a light blue border, further outer border of dark blue translucent enamel over engine turning, the bezels each set with two rows of split pearls, the pendant further decorated with split pearls, pusher in pendant to open back, inside case back hallmarked 1797,  case numbered 98, case maker's mark IR• Accompaniments: with later custom made green velvet covered presentation case and gilt-metal key signed J Ullmann & Co., Shanghai

Christies Geneva, 17-18th November, 1997, Lot 320

Dial: Dial has been inspected through the crystal only and there do appear to be hairline cracks. Cover:Gilding to cuvette good overall. Catch for cuvette slightly loose but the back cover closes securely. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing and surfaces appear to be in good condition with crisp decoration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Specialising in watches for the Chinese market, William Anthony is particularly famous for his magnificent and elaborate oval watches. The sumptuous yet tightly ordered decoration to the case of the present watch is complimented by the wonderful clarity of the white enamel dial which is divided into two equal sections, with hours and minutes above subsidiary seconds.  As was customary for many watches for the Chinese market, almost every surface of the 8-day duration movement is intricately engraved. The movement also has a large and prominent hanging barrel and a duplex escapement. William Anthony (1765-1844) is recorded as having worked at Red Lion Street and St. John’s Square in London. In 1815 he played an active part in the founding of the Watch and Clockmakers’ Benevolent Association. After this date, Anthony’s business appears to have deteriorated, in part due to his costly acquisition of Royal and other wardrobes from the time of King Charles I which he then exhibited at Somerset Gallery, but which was poorly attended, and also due to unsuccessful litigation with Grimaldi & Johnson. At his death, he was found to have a substantial lease on the Doughty Estate which for some reason he had failed to collect rent from for the 20 preceding years – indeed, at the time of his death, the leases were almost expired, see: Britten, Old Clocks and Watches and their Markers, ACC edition, 1977, p. 422.