1091
Ilbery
A highly rare and attractive yellow gold openface polychrome cloisonné and guilloché enamel pair cased clock watch with passing strike mechanism on a bell, white enamel dial, center seconds, fusée and chain movement, duplex escapement, made for the Chinese Market
Estimate
HK$160,000–320,000
€17,400–34,900
$20,500–41,000
Live 31 May, 12 PM Hong Kong SAR China Time
Manufacturer
Ilbery
Year
Circa 1820
Movement No
6240
Material
Yellow gold and enamel
Calibre
Manual, fusée and chain duplex movement with bell striking mechanism
Dimensions
63mm diameter
Signed
Movement signed
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Passing strike mechanism on a bell: hour, quarter and half-hour
- Pair case with cloisonné and guilloche enamel
Few British watchmakers left as profound a mark on the golden age of export watches as William Ilbery. Celebrated for his pivotal role in creating luxurious timepieces specifically tailored for the Chinese market, Ilbery masterfully blended British ingenuity with Swiss craftsmanship during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when England dominated the lucrative Far Eastern watch trade.
Working at the height of his career between 1790 and 1830, Ilbery partnered with some of the finest Swiss artisans of the era, including renowned enamelists such as Dupont, Richter, and Lissignol. The result was a series of exceptionally refined “Montres Chinoises” that combined exquisite aesthetics with sophisticated mechanics.
A magnificent example from the 1820s perfectly captures Ilbery’s genius, this large 63mm Empire-style pocket watch has resided in a private collection for the past 26 years. The watch features a classic pair-case design. The outer case is adorned with vibrant polychrome cloisonné floral enamel and a graceful serpentine rim that gives the piece a wonderfully fluid, organic charm. A diamond-set thumb-piece allows the outer case to be opened, revealing the inner watch. Both cases are cleverly pierced with tiny, discreet sound holes that blend seamlessly into the enamelled decoration, allowing the rich tones of the striking mechanism to resonate clearly. Extremely demanding to craft, only a few examples exhibit this glorious frivolity as its unseen until you open the case.
Inside, a bell is mounted against the caseback, while the full-plate gilt duplex movement is beautifully engraved and chased with floral motifs. The three-arm steel balance features blued steel weights, a diamond endstone, and the striking train with three hammers delivering hours, quarters, and half-hour with impressive sonority.
A true masterpiece of Anglo-Swiss collaboration and a highlight of early 19th-century export horology. This timepiece is well-preserved and chimes with clarity.
- Passing strike mechanism on a bell: hour, quarter and half-hour
- Pair case with cloisonné and guilloche enamel
Few British watchmakers left as profound a mark on the golden age of export watches as William Ilbery. Celebrated for his pivotal role in creating luxurious timepieces specifically tailored for the Chinese market, Ilbery masterfully blended British ingenuity with Swiss craftsmanship during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when England dominated the lucrative Far Eastern watch trade.
Working at the height of his career between 1790 and 1830, Ilbery partnered with some of the finest Swiss artisans of the era, including renowned enamelists such as Dupont, Richter, and Lissignol. The result was a series of exceptionally refined “Montres Chinoises” that combined exquisite aesthetics with sophisticated mechanics.
A magnificent example from the 1820s perfectly captures Ilbery’s genius, this large 63mm Empire-style pocket watch has resided in a private collection for the past 26 years. The watch features a classic pair-case design. The outer case is adorned with vibrant polychrome cloisonné floral enamel and a graceful serpentine rim that gives the piece a wonderfully fluid, organic charm. A diamond-set thumb-piece allows the outer case to be opened, revealing the inner watch. Both cases are cleverly pierced with tiny, discreet sound holes that blend seamlessly into the enamelled decoration, allowing the rich tones of the striking mechanism to resonate clearly. Extremely demanding to craft, only a few examples exhibit this glorious frivolity as its unseen until you open the case.
Inside, a bell is mounted against the caseback, while the full-plate gilt duplex movement is beautifully engraved and chased with floral motifs. The three-arm steel balance features blued steel weights, a diamond endstone, and the striking train with three hammers delivering hours, quarters, and half-hour with impressive sonority.
A true masterpiece of Anglo-Swiss collaboration and a highlight of early 19th-century export horology. This timepiece is well-preserved and chimes with clarity.