DESCRIPTION:
EPW - S. De Charmes, London, verge fusee quarter-hour repeater, 52mm, silver OF pair cases pierced for sound transmission, outer has had a 1696 1/2 crown coin inserted into its rear, inner case with floral decorative elements around perimeter and a fruit bowl at its lower edge, inner case bell has not been removed to inspect for hallmarks beneath, outer case containing paper for Alexander Procter & Son of Tarland, white enamel dial, KWKS, verge escapement, gilt mvt with pierced and foliate scrolled balance cock with child's head at its neck, gilt locking dust-cap, no visible mvt s#. Per Brian Loomes' "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World," Simon De Charmes "supposedly came from France to England c.1685" and was made Free of the London Clockmakers' Company from 1692 to c.1730.
CONDITION:
Mvt: NR, ticking in most positions but stops abruptly when dial side down, overhaul needed, good repeat function and tone apart from occasional weakness to only the second strike of the initial quarter-hour tone, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, crosshatched scratching and darkening to balance cock foot near its perimeter corners, plates with few typical fine scratches elsewhere; nearly flawless dial with few minuscule edge flakes; fine hands, minute with finish loss; outer case has had a 1/2 crown coin inserted in place of its center rear with lead solder visible at its seating both internally and externally (significantly more lead solder excess is visible internally), outer case otherwise shows little wear, no dents or dings, few pinpoint nicks, good engraving detail, button latch good; inner case shows little wear, shallow denting to rear, good engraving detail; bow pivots freely; glass crystal with small edge flake at bottom.
ESTIMATE:
$1200
-
$2000
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"