Cylinder by Gray & Vulliamy

Stock No. 1554

Benjamin Gray & Justin Vulliamy
London, c1755
Silver pair cases, 53.5 mm
Cylinder escapement

Sold

A fine and early cylinder watch, by these prestigious London makers.

MOVEMENT : Fine cylinder movement, fully signed and with Vulliamy serial code (cax). Diamond endstone and blued screws.

The movement is in very good condition and is running well.

DIAL : Later fine white enamel dial.

In good condition, with no repairs and just a very faint hairline from the edge at 4, and a some light surface scratches.

Very fine matching matching gold coloured skeleton hands. In excellent condition.

INNER CASE : Silver, with hallmarks for London, 1792, and maker’s mark TH.

Very good condition throughout. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly.
The high dome bull’s eye crystal is in very good condition.

OUTER CASE : Silver pair case with silver marks and maker’s marks matching the inner.

The catch button has worn down, and there are a couple of small dings to the bezel, but otherwise the case is in excellent condition. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly.

The dial and hands were probably replaced with the cases in the late 18thc. A perfect fit for the movement, so probably made specifically for this movement.

Benjamin Gray was active between 1720 and1760 and Justin Vulliamy between 1730 and 1775. Benjamin Gray was made clockmaker to George II in 1744, while Vulliamy emigrated from Switzerland earlier, and at some point married Gray’s daughter. They were partners from that period on.