DESCRIPTION:
EPW - Louis Mestal a Paris, verge fusee hour repeater and hour striking coach clockwatch, 89mm, silver OF original pair cases, outer with tortoiseshell piqué and pierced for sound transmission, inner with very attractive engraving detail to bezel and rear perimeter, pendant depresses for hour strike on demand, bell not removed from inner to inspect for possibility of markings, "Markarik Markame Perigal London" marked white enamel dial with Turkish market numerals, winding aperture at 3, strike train barrel winding aperture at 7, slide under dial at 7 for silence of clockwatch function, KWKS, verge escapement, gilt mvt with pierced and foliate scrolled two-footed balance bridge, s#917. Gross weight of assembled watch 362.2 dwt (563.3 g). A massive piece with colossal and very attractive in-hand presence, French made watches of this style and size for the Turkish market are rare. The dial of this example was likely given an English signature to appeal to the Turkish clientele that would be familiar with this style watch having English dial signature, and the name "Markarik Markame Perigal" was presumably a nom de guerre or pseudonym that was selected for its similarity to the existing firm of Markwick, Markham & Perigal.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good clockwatch and repeat function and tone, fine-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, scratch between one foot of balance bridge and edge of main plate, scattered fine scratches elsewhere; dial with patched chips around winding apertures and around affixing screw below at upper signature area, light hls below center, few fine scratches; excellent hands; outer case shows little wear, tortoiseshell is substantially present though with a fracture to rear originating at top edge and running to near center, a small chip of missing material at top edge, a fracture at left side of rear running from button to a bit over one-half the length to center, a few mild small flakes to bezel, and some scratches, button latch good with some denting to button, case closes leaving a bit of gap around its upper portions; inner case shows light wear, no dents or dings, excellent bezel and rear perimeter engraving detail, central rear engraving detail substantially reduced, button latch present but with inconsistent function as the latch frequently doesn't move quite sufficiently to securely catch the case lip which has some wear; tight bow; good domed glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
-
$6000
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