Double-Dialed” Ilbery

“Double-Dialed” Ilbery, London. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1780. Fine and rare, gilt brass and paste-set, astronomic, double-dialed pocket watch with two independent mean time dials, center seconds, calendar and lunar calendar with indications for the waxing and waning of the moon. Two-body, “bassine”, foliate chased and engraved band, both sides glazed, the bezels set with red and white pastes. First: white enamel, regulator-type, eccentric mean time dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, outer seconds dial with fifth of a second divisions and Arabic five second numerals, subsidiary date and regulation dials. Second: White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer dot minute divisions and Arabic five-minute numerals, inner lunar calendar with symbols indicating the waxing and waning of the moon. Gold “beetle and poker” and “spade” hands, “arrow” hand for the lunar calendar. 45 mm., gilt brass full plate with tapered cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance, flat balance spring, regulation via the dial, seconds stop slide under the bezel. Dial signed. Diam. 58 mm. Notes William Ilbery (ca. 1760-1839). Active in London from 1780 in Goswell Street, he moved to Duncan Terrace towards the end of the 18th century. Following James Cox in London and Jaquet Droz in Switzerland, he also specialised in the production of luxury watches for the Chinese Market. His early production was very much in the English style, featurin