Large Centre Seconds Clockwatch

A large carriage watch by this well known maker for the Eastern market. Requires some restoration to the strike mechanism, though the watch movement itself runs well.

MOVEMENT : A gilt verge movement, with five round pillars, and finely pierced and engraved balance cock with a large diamond endstone.

Signed Wm. Carpenter, London and numbered 2760.

The centre seconds watch movement is in very good original condition, and is running well.

The petite sonnerie striking mechanism should strike on the hour, and then on each quarter double strike the quarters. This works, though not reliably. Although the striking mechanism appears to be complete, there is some damage which requires repair. The strike count wheel (see photo) has damage (and an old soldered repair) between 10 and 12 o’clock (the 12 o’clock section has broken away). The count lever which controls the count by making contact with the strike wheel has an old repair, though it does function. Otherwise the movement is complete though occasionally sticks.

The steel levers on the band at 3 o’clock and 7 o’clock are used to enable/disable the strike and to stop/start the movement respectively.

DIAL : This is a very fine white enamel dial. In excellent condition with no restoration and just some very short light scratches and a small flake at the centre aperture (hidden by the hour hand). The three gilt hands are good and almost certainly original.

INNER CASE : Gilded brass, with steel bell screwed to the inside back. Pierced and engraved decoration to the back and band. Winding apertures for watch and strike movements. High dome mineral crystal.

All in very good condition, with just a little wear to the gilding on the bezel, stem and bow. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely. The crystal is perfect.

OUTER : Gilded brass, with pierced and engraved decoration to the bezel and band. Silver bezel set with alternating red and white stones.

In good condition, with even wear to the gilding on the back. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine, and the bezel snaps shut though gapes a little around the stem.

The crystals inset into the bezel are complete though a couple of the red stones (or glass ?) are discoloured so may be replacements.

William Carpenter was active between 1770 and 1817 and concentrated on the Far Eastern market.