Early 19thc London enamel cylinder

A beautiful, early 19th century London cylinder in a fine gold and enamel case.

MOVEMENT : A good gilt cylinder movement, with a plain balance bridge and jewel endstone. Bosley type regulator, Maltese Cross stop work, polished steel escape and balance wheels and four round pillars. Signed ‘Upjohn & Bright, 5 Chandos Street, LONDON’.

All in good condition and running well. The Maltese Cross stop work is probably a slightly later addition to the top plate.

DIAL : A fine white enamel dial. In very good condition, with just a very light hairline running from the centre to 11. One of the 3 dial feet is missing, but the dial is still attached firmly.

Beautiful matching ornate gold hands.

CASE : A wonderful yellow gold case, with a beautiful polychrome enamel panel to the back and enamel highlights to the bezel. Probably a French gold mark to the stem and an indistinct maker’s mark to the inner back. The case tests as high carat gold.

Engraved bezel and band with floral enamel panels inset into the bezel. The enamel panel on the back shows lovers in a pastoral scene.

In very good condition. The hinges and movement catch are both fine and the front cover closes nicely. The gold is in good condition with very little wear. One of the small enamel insets on the bezel has a piece of enamel missing, and the enamel panel on the back has some surface scratches but otherwise fine. The high dome crystal is good.

T. & J. Upjohn are listed at Chandos Street from about 1790 until about 1805, and Upjohn & Bright at King William Street from 1823. So this typically English cylinder watch was made by the partners, but before their move in 1823, probably about 1820.

The case is probably French, but almost certainly original. Many ornate and enamel cases were imported from France and Switzerland at this time, and fitted to English movements.