Jonathan Stripe

A RARE GEORGE II PROVINCIAL SILVER PAIR-CASED VERGE POCKET WATCH WITH CHAMPLEVE 'NAME' DIAL JONATHAN STRIPE, CHICHESTER, FOR JOHN HAMMOND, HAVANT, DATED 1752 The gilt full plate fusee movement with four square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm brass balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine asymmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with grotesque mask at the junction with the conforming pierced and engraved foot, flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Jn'o , Stripe, CHICHESTER , and numbered 1694 , the silver champleve dial with two curved panels engraved HAVANT, 1752 to the centre, within chapter ring composed of the name IOHN HAMMOND incorporating a fleur-de-lys motif at twelve o'clock and with cartouche Arabic five minute numerals to outer track, with sculpted blued steel beetle and poker hands, the inner case applied with suspension post and bow at twelve o'clock and the outer case with moulded rim to circumference and engraved with monogram I*H over date 1767 to rear cover, the inner case marked with indistinct makers mark only. The pillar plate 3.6cm (1.375ins) diameter, the inner case 4.2cm (1.675ins) diameter; the outer case 5cm (2ins) diameter. Jonathan Stripe is recorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Volume 2 as working in Chichester circa 1742. The substitution of the original owner's name instead of Roman numerals for the chapter ring is very unusual for a watch of this date and particular for a champleve dial. Such 'name' dial watches became more popular during the latter years of the 18 th century with enamel dial examples infrequently appearing such as an example by James Windsor of London with dial inscribed for 'Thomas Watts' sold in these rooms on Tuesday 27 th February 2024 (lot 50).