Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 16, 2005

LOT 206

James Mc Cabe, Royal Exchange, London, No. 2918, circa 1850. Very fine and rare "giant" gilt brass 8 day-going double-train carriage clock striking and repeating the hours.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

EUR 10,000 - 13,000 / USD 12,000 - 16,000

Sold: CHF 17,250

C. Glazed on three sides and on top, molded on top and bottom, massive fluted handle, the gilt brass back with shuttered holes for winding and hand setting, levers for strike/silent and regulation. D. Brushed silvered with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds below XII o'clock. Blued steel ?fleur-de-lys? hands. M. Rectangular brass, both trains with fusees and chains, maintaining power on the going side, platform with underslung lateral lever escapement, frosted gilt three-arm monometallic balance, blued steel flat balance spring, escape wheels and balance pivots jewelled, index regulator, strike/silent lever on the back plate, striking the hours on a coiled gong and repeating activated by depressing a button in the top. Dial and movement signed and numbered. Dim. Height 24.7 cm, width 13.6 cm, depth 10.6


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-14

Good

Damaged
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Mc Cabe This firm had a very high reputation for watches and clocks, concentrating particularly on the Indian market, where an agency was maintained. Its founder was James Mc Cabe, one of three horologist sons of Irish watch and clockmaker William Mc Cabe, who moved to London in the third quarter of the 18th century. In April 1781 he was made honorary freeman of the Clockmaker's Company, and took up the livery in 1787. Although Mc Cabe used a wide variety of escapements, he is particularly associated with the improvement of the duplex escapement. On his death in 1811 he was Senior Warden of the Company. He was succeeded by his son, also named James, who became free of the London Clockmaker's Company in 1822. Subsequently the business was continued by Mc Cabe's nephew, Robert Jeremy Mc Cabe, who closed the firm on his retirement in 1883. Literature: "Carriage Clocks, their History & Development", Charles Allix and Peter Bonnert, Woodbridge, 1974, pp. 278-81."Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers", F.J. Britten, London, 1932, pp. 792-3.