Enamelled Silver Gilt Chinese Market Pocket Watch, 1840

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

Step into the realm of timeless elegance with the Enamelled Silver Gilt Chinese Market Pocket Watch, a masterful creation from circa 1840 that epitomizes the sophistication and craftsmanship of mid-19th century horology. Designed specifically for the discerning Chinese market, this exquisite timepiece features a pearl-set silver gilt and enamelled open face case that immediately commands attention. The watch is powered by a keywind gilt bar movement, adorned with richly engraved bridges, a suspended going barrel, and blue steel stop work and screws, showcasing the intricate artistry of its makers. The engraved sector cock, garnet endstone, and polished steel regulator add unique touches, while the five-arm polished steel balance and duplex escapement with brass escape wheel and endstones ensure precise timekeeping. The white enamel dial, with its slender Roman numerals and gilt hands, is both elegant and functional, but it is the unusual silver gilt open face case, decorated with split pearls and blue champlevé enamel, that truly sets this watch apart. The back of the watch features a finely painted polychrome enamel portrait of a young lady on a blue background, adding a touch of romanticism to its design. Wound and set through the sprung gilt cuvette, this exceptional timepiece is in excellent overall condition and bears the signature of Richardson London, measuring 55mm in diameter and crafted from gilt metal and enamel. This is a mid 19th Century centre seconds duplex watch that was specifically made for the Chinese market. It features a pearl-set silver gilt and enamelled open face case. The watch has a keywind gilt bar movement that boasts of richly engraved bridges, a suspended going barrel, blue steel stop work, and screws. The engraved sector cock has a garnet endstone, while the polished steel regulator gives the watch a unique touch. It has a five arm polished steel balance and a duplex escapement with brass escape wheel and pivots with endstones. The white enamel dial comes with centre seconds and slender Roman numerals, and complimented by gilt hands. What’s striking about this watch is the unusual silver gilt open face case that sets it apart. The front bezel, front of the oval pendant, and bow are set with split pearls. On the reverse side, the bezel, pendant, and bow are decorated with blue champleve enamel. The back of this magnificent watch features a finely painted polychrome enamel portrait of a young lady on a blue background. The watch is wound and set through the sprung gilt cuvette. This watch is an exceptional timepiece that boasts of excellent overall conditions with an exquisitely executed portrait on an unusual case. It is signed Richardson London and was crafted around 1840, measuring 55mm in diameter. Signed Richardson London Circa 1840 Diameter 55 mm Materials Gilt Metal Enamel