WILLIAM ANTHONY, LONDON | A MAGNIFICENT AND VERY RARE YELLOW GOLD, ENAMEL, SPLIT-PEARL AND DIAMOND-SET DUPLEX WATCH WITH 8-DAY MOVEMENT, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET, CIRCA 1800

Dial: enamelCalibre: duplex escapementCase: 18k yellow gold, enamel, split-pearl and diamond-set, cuvette, hinged backCase number: 1'934Size: 68 mm length x 57 mm widthSigned: dial, cuvette and case signed, case and cuvette further numberedAccessories: William Anthony, London key and presentation box

For a very similar watch numbered 1931, please see The English Watch 1585-1970 by Terence Camerer Cuss, page 323 and 333 and was sold at the Sotheby's auction The Celebration of the English Watch, part three, lot 40 on 15 November 2016 for 212,500 GBP.

The movement is in working condition at the time of cataloguing, however a service is recommended. The dial with minor hairlines. The case is in exceptional condition with all pearls present to the pendant and bezel. The case is extremely stiff indicating that it has not been opened very much at all. The enamel case back with only a couple of minor losses to the blue ground. Overall the case is exceptional. Please note a very similar, only three numbers away from this watch, was sold at Sotheby's London for over 200,000 pounds. 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."

William Anthony was born in around 1765. He worked as a watchmaker in Red Lion Street, Saint John's Square, Clerkenwell, where he made exceptional watches for the Chinese market. His watches, usually with oval dials and were usually elaborately set with diamonds, pearls and enamel. He is known to have delivered a small number of watches to the Chinese Court in Peking. Some of his watches were made in pairs, two of which were sold in the landmark auction, The Sandberg Watch Collection in 2001, lot 208 and 209. The present watch, fresh to the market, was discovered in Japan just a few months ago. It is only three numbers away from the watch sold by Sotheby's in The Celebration of English Watch, Part three, lot 40 on 15 November 2016. The movement is highly engraved and has a large barrel for the winding. The engraving is very typically English from the period. The case is in exceptional condition with only some very minor losses to the white enamel border. The case has extremely tight hinges and has not been opened very often at all. The cuvette is signed and engraved with an illustration of the horse pulling a rope, indicating the direction of wind and a pair of watch hands beside the off-set hand-set square. 

The oval case is a signature of William Anthony and the case back is centred with diamonds, framed by rows of pearls, gold wire-work with outer blue and red enamel, all enclosed with large split-pearls. The pendent is further enhanced by split-pearls and a pusher to open the hinge back.