London silver gilt quarter repeater

A rare quarter repeating cylinder watch, in fine silver gilt pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilt movement with cylinder escapement. The balance cock is finely pierced and has a ruby endstone. Blued steel screws and a Bosley type regulator.

Signed Arl. Dobson, London and numbered 1781.

All in very good condition and running well.

The repeating mechanism correctly strikes the hours and quarters, with two steel hammers on the bell which is screwed to the inside of the inner case. The repeat is about five minutes out of sync, with the strike about five minutes before the time.  Nice clear strong chimes.

The movement is protected by a removable gilt dust cap, signed and numbered as the movement.

DIAL : White enamel dial. In good condition, though with some scratches around the centre.

Later gilt Breguet style hands.

INNER CASE : Silver gilt, pierced and engraved throughout.

In excellent condition. The high dome bull’s eye crystal and the hinge are good and the bezel snaps shut.

The small steel lever on the bezel at 7 is a ‘pulse piece’ allowing the repeat to be silent but vibrating, by pressing the button during the repeat. This mechanism is intact and functions correctly.

The bell is in good condition and strikes with a clear chime. The bell is original and has the name ‘Drury’ scratched on it. These were London bell makers throughout the 18th century.

OUTER CASE : Silver gilt case, pierced and engraved to bezel and band.

Again in very good condition throughout. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the bezel snaps shut.

Arlander Dobson is listed in Covent Garden, London from 1744. He died in 1772.

The regulator on this movement is a very early example of the Bosley type. Although patented by Joseph Bosley in 1755, the patent was challenged so not used until much later. This example is original to the watch, although interestingly the dust cap (signed and numbered as the movement) is cut to the shape of a Tompion type regulator. So maybe a prototype or very early example.