A1023

Gilt Centre Seconds Cylinder by Prior

£1,750.00

Signed   Prior    London    
Circa   1795
Diameter   54 mm       Depth   12 mm

1 in stock

Description

A late 18th Century English centre seconds cylinder by Prior in gilt metal pair cases.  Full plate fire gilt movement, gilt dust cover pierced to revel the balance cock and regulator.  Pierced and engraved cock, the base of the table with a large shell and a half moon at the edge, large diamond endstone in a blue steel setting secured by three screws.  Pierced and engraved foot to the cock and plate for the silver regulator disc. Plain three arm steel balance, blue steel spiral hairspring. Polished steel cylinder, large steel escape wheel, pivots with endstones. Fine white enamel centre seconds dial marked for seconds and fifths of seconds.  Roman numerals, fine gold hands, the centre seconds hand situated between the hour and minute. Matching gilt metal pair cases, oval pendant and bow, maker’s mark "IR".

In excellent overall condition apart from the gilding on the outer case worn.  The Prior family are known for their watches made for the Turkish market.  Although this one appears to have been made for the domestic market the table of the cock still bears motifs associated with Turkey.  Casemaker James Richards.