£2,300 - £3,300
THE WATCH OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR JOHN BENNET HEARSEY K.C.B.
with classic white dial with black Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds dial is signed Wm. Hughes London, the pair case pocket watch is mounted in bright yellow metal with London hallmarks for 1787, inscribed within the first case General Sir John Bennet Hearsey K.C.B Born 1793, died 1865. The movement with diamond capped foliate pierced flywheel is signed Wm. Hughes London, with the number 4129. With further floral engraving to the movement, diameter outer case 5.5cm, inner case 5cm, weight together including mechanism 151gms. Together with a bright yellow metal marine link fob chain, length 36cm weight without keys 37.8gms; and a large framed print of Hearsey after his portrait by an unknown artist, 1839, measuring approx. 94cm x 76cm externally (3)
John Bennet Hearsey (1793 - 1865) - British military officer, Colonel of the 21st Hussars and 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry. A noted amateur naturalist and entomologist.
Curiously the carat of the gold is not stamped, hence the bright yellow metal, London hallmarks for 1787 match to both cases. Movement winds and is ticking, has two keys.
Further to this observation, and in answer messages to us regarding this lot, based on our photos and my opinion that this is bright yellow metal. I would like to point out I did not reach this conclusion lightly, I have 30 plus years of handling gold, I know what gold feels like and I know what it looks like, I of course did various tests to make that conclusion before suggesting that this is bright yellow metal. I have deeply scratched it in several places (within reason and where it is not obvious... other people have also done the same previously too... probably not believing their own eyes either..) I have also acid tested shavings I took from the key hole, these where full thickness and conveniently right near where the hallmarks are, so part of the same material that has been stamped, conclusion yellow metal. Not silver gilt... not gold plated base metal. If this was silver gilt the key hole which bears many scratches would have been right through any plating by now. There are various areas that have been mended with a lighter yellow metal solder to try & fix the crease & tear to the inner case, back right hand side. there is also a crack to the back of the case. Various base metal springs are no longer present, just one single base metal pin. Please come and view this item yourself and make your own mind up.
Further to previous comments...
I am bound by The Weights & Measures Act, If an item is not fully hallmarked 'gold' I have to say yellow metal, this is the law. I have described this in detail, the marks are true in my opinion. I have described them, we have photographed them, it stands to reason that a much loved watch would have work 'done' and various parts would have been replaced as they wore out.... Please satisfy yourselves by viewing the lot in person. Its not so much about 'the' watch as who 'Owned it' and his story.
Watch winds and is ticking, we do not guarantee any watch is in working order or keeps time.
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