46,000 CHF
Vulliamy, London, uxu, circa 1800. Very fine and rare 18K gold, half-quarter dumb repeating centre-seconds stop-watch of Royal provenance with special escapement and compensation. Three body, massive, Empire, engine-turned, the back centred with a coat-of-arms of a member of the British Royal Family. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minutes ring. Gold "poker and beetle" hands. Gilt-brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain and maintaining power, Duplex escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, blued-steel flat balance spring with "Chelsea Bun" bimetallic compensation, gilt-brass pierced and engraved continental type cock with diamond endstone. Repeating on the edge of the case by depressing the pendant. Gilt-brass dust-cap. Signed on back plate. Diam. 59 mm. Notes Vulliamy Three successive members of this family were active from 1730 to 1854 and although they are best known for their unsurpassed regulator clocks they also made some excellent watches and decorative clocks. Of Swiss origin, Justin Vulliamy emigrated from Switzerland and settled in London early in the 18th century. He because associated with Benjamin Gray, of Pall Mall whose daughter he married and with whom he was subsequently in partnership from 1730 to 1775. Justin Vulliamy carried on the business at Gray's death. Benjamin Gray was appointed as clockmaker to George II, and the Vulliamy family held the office of clockmaker to the reigning sovereign until the death Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1998-04-18
