John Bittleston, London, No. 1638

, Movement No. 1638, 95 mm, 516 g, circa 1780

A decorative paste-set double-cased coach clock with compass, calendar and stoppable centre seconds for the Chinese market

Case: outer case - copper, gilt, case back with an enamel compass under glass, red and clear paste-set bezels, à goutte, large lateral hinge. Inner case - gilt, polished, case maker's punch mark "TH", numbered and signed movement protection cap, seven-piece hinge, lateral lever to stop the centre seconds. Dial: regulator dial, enamel, eccentric hour chapter ring with radial Roman numerals at "12", three subsidiary chapter rings for calendar, gold hands. Movm.: full plate movement, firegilt, all-over profusely florally engraved, signed, chain/fusee, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance, chatoned diamond endstone on balance.

John Bittleston worked at 207 High Holborn between 1765-1794 and was made a freeman of the Clockmaker's Company in 1781. He was known for his complicated extra large pocket watches and carriage clocks with additional displays and cases for the Chinese market.
#41604

Case: very good
Dial: very good, restaurations
Movm.: very good, capable of running