Important Watches

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 2303. A yellow gold and enamel triple cased quarter repeating verge keywound watch with chain and fusée, Made for the Turkish market, Circa 1814.

Edward Prior, London

A yellow gold and enamel triple cased quarter repeating verge keywound watch with chain and fusée, Made for the Turkish market, Circa 1814

Session begins in

September 18, 03:00 AM GMT

Estimate

240,000 - 500,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

Edward Prior, London

A yellow gold and enamel triple cased quarter repeating verge keywound watch with chain and fusée, Made for the Turkish market, Circa 1814

Dial: white enamel, Turkish numerals

Calibre: keywound verge escapement, chain fusée, gilt and engraved main plate, pierced and engraved balance cock with diamond end stone, silvered regulation plate with Turkish numerals

Movement number: 28'925

Case: 18k yellow gold, inner case with aperture for winding to back, case with polychrome enamel scene depicting flowers on the pink guilloché enamel background, pendant and bow with champlevé enamel decoration, middle case with red guilloché enamel background, champlevé enamel bezels and borders

Size: 55 mm diameter

Signed: dial and movement

Accessories: none

The present watch is a triple-cased quarter repeating pocket watch, fitted with a characteristic verge escapement, a pierced and engraved balance cock in the Rococo style, and a chain-and-fusée transmission. Verge escapements and chain-and-fusée systems were widely used in watches from the 15th to the early 20th century. The fusée equalises the driving torque as the mainspring unwinds and loses power, while the verge escapement controls the rate at which that power is released.

The inside of the inner case back is engraved with the casemaker’s initials “AN”, possibly those of Alexis Nicole. The three layer cases are elaborately enamelled, including the closing edges. The decoration incorporates various enamelling techniques, including guilloché and champlevé enamel, lending the watch an exceptionally refined appearance.

Edward Prior (1780–1859), son of the London watchmaker George Prior, continued the family watchmaking business following his father’s death in 1814. The firm specialised in the production of fine multi-cased watches for the Turkish market and the Ottoman Empire.

Edward Prior, 倫敦

黃金及琺瑯三套殼二問懷錶，鑰匙上弦，備工字輪擒縱及芝麻鏈傳動，為土耳其市場而製，約1814年製

Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense.

Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band.

Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.

"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."