Aigle d’Or English

Aigle d’Or English, probably Liverpool. The case with Chester hallmarks for 1828-9. Fine and very unusual, 18K gold pocket watch, the movement plate designed as an eagle and with Massey type III lever escapement. Three-body, engine-turned, cast and chased flower bezels, pendant and bow, engine-turned band. Fixed gold cuvette. Beige with radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions and Arabic five-minute numerals, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel spade hands. 43 mm., frosted gilt, the plate for the fusee and chain shaped and engraved to form an eagle, engraved bridges for the other wheels, maintaining power, 6 jewels, three in screwed chatons, Massey type III lever escapement, three-arm gold balance, blued steel flat balance spring, diamond endstone, index regulator. Diam. 50 mm. Notes Although unsigned, it is likely that, along with most other watches bearing Chester hallmarks, this watch was almost certainly made in Liverpool by one of the famous watchmaking companies active in that city in the early 19th century, such as Tobias or Litherland. It is quite likely that this watch was specially made for an American client – Liverpool being one of the main English ports sailing to and from New York in the early 19th century.