111st Auction
2024/11/16
Lot 255
Daniel Cunstable
An unusual London pair-cased verge pocket watch with mock pendulum
Sold
estimated
800—1.500 €
Price realized
3.100 €
specific features
Case
Outer and inner case silver, smooth, case maker's punch mark "H" with coronet above.
Dial
Steel, blued, applied silver cartouches.
Movement
Full plate movement, chain/fusee, ring balance with "mock pendulum".
Diam.58 mm
Circa1705
Ctry.England
Wt.152 g
The most unusual feature of this watch is the winged balance cock, with an open top side that reveals the dumbbell-shaped balance. The blued background of the dial created a marvellous and exciting contrast to the period hour and minute cartouches.
According to G. H. Baillie in "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", Daniel Cunstable (Constable) was working as a watchmaker in London around 1707. He was based in Gray's Inn Lane, now Gray's Inn Road.