Usher & Cole

Usher & Cole, Clerkenwell, London, No. 26518, especially made for John Wallace M.P., casemaker's mark P.W. for Philip Woodman, hallmarked 1890.Extremely rare and very fine 22 ct. gold, keyless, astronomical minute repeating watch with perpetual calendar and phases of the moon. By Willis, white enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute divisions, four subsidiary dials for four-year leap cycle with 48 months, days of the month, days of the week and seconds, concentric, with aperture for the phases and age of the moon. Gold fleur de lis hands. Notes The records of Usher Lot Cole have fortunately survived. Thanks to the research of Mr. Terence Camerer Cuss, we know the history of this watch to the smallest detail.The watch, which was made at a cost of £71.16, was sold to John Wallace on July 24, 1891 for £110. Wallace was a Member of Parliament, a timber merchant, and an inventor who registered many patents. He had a wide range of interests and became involved with a gold mine in the United States. According to family tradition, when the venture failed, all he had left was a small lump of gold that he had made into a watch - this one. At the time, cases were made of 18 carat gold, yet this is of 22 caratwhich lends credence to the family legend. Usher Lot Cole paid thecasemaker £22.4.6.The records show that the dial was made by Willis, the foremost dial maker of his day. Willis charged £2.7.0, including 3 shillings for the silver edge. The gold moon disc cost just over 4 shilli