Untitled Document

Minute repeating Pocket watches were and indeed still are amongst the most complicated precision mechanical devices made. First appearing in the eighteenth century, their purpose was to indicate the exact time to the minute in the dark. An amazing and most useful feature at a period before the widespread convenience of instant electric light or the invention of luminous paint for the hands and indexes.

By activating a slide on the case band, the watch would emit a most beautiful and charming clean, clear sound, it would strike, by means of two tiny hammers on two gongs, the hours, quarters and minutes, indicating the exact time to the minute.
Such fine complicated timepieces were made by only the very best and most accomplished watchmakers of the day, the preeminent of which during this period were English.

Not only were the English watch movements of the very highest quality but every aspect of the timepiece was made without compromise, for what was a very demanding Victorian clientele. The gauge of Gold used by the Victorian Goldsmiths was much heavier than that used by their continental counterparts, providing a far more substantial case, the wonderful “Victorian feel” of the watch in use was a delight, one of utter solidity and extremely high quality.

This particular example is quite superb and has the fascinating and very Victorian period feature of a “thief proof” bow. This enabled the pendant and bow to which the Albert chain was attached to swivel, preventing the highly skilful Victorian “Dips” ( pickpockets) from snapping off the bow, ( the loop over the winder) detaching it from its Albert chain and making off with the watch. The “thief proof” bow was an expensive device to equip the watch with and is only found on the most desirable of timepieces, constructed as they were, to the very highest grade and quality.