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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge pair case pocket watch

Daniel de St Leu Ottoman-market verge quarter-repeating pair case pocket watch

Partially verified

This gentleman's pair case pocket watch is signed by Daniel de St Leu, London, and was produced for the Ottoman market in the second half of the 18th century. The source reports a brass full-plate verge movement with chain and fusee, an engraved and pierced balance cock, a silver-coloured regulator disc with Ottoman numerals, and a quarter repeater mechanism striking on an internal bell. Both the dust cover and movement plate bear the maker's signature, London designation, royal appointment to Queen Charlotte, and serial number 3828. The white enamel dial features Ottoman numerals, a dotted minute track, and pierced hands under a domed crystal. It is housed in an engraved brass inner case within a tortoiseshell-overlaid outer case with piqué pin inlay.

Front view of the Daniel de St Leu Ottoman-market pair-cased pocket watch within its tortoiseshell outer case, showing the dial and attached chain with keys
Front view of the Daniel de St Leu Ottoman-market pair-cased pocket watch within its tortoiseshell outer case, showing the dial and attached chain with keys — Kunst- und Auktionshaus Quedlinburg. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Verge pair case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Daniel de St Leu
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
731
Source-reported date
2nd half of the 18th century
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
3828

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Provenance

This gentleman's pair-case pocket watch is signed by Daniel de St Leu, London, and is identified as an export piece for the Ottoman market. The movement and dust cover are signed with the maker's name, the designation 'Watch Maker to her Majesty,' and the serial number 3828.

The timepiece originates from the second half of the 18th century. It is accompanied by a gold-coloured chain and two winding keys.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dust cover signed "Dan. De St Leu", "Watch Maker to her Majesty", "London" and "3828"”
  • “movement plate signed identically, there with abbreviated "Watch Mar" and the same number "3828"”
  • “Verge pocket watch with quarter repeater for the Ottoman market”

Construction and Case Features

The watch is housed in a pair case of brass construction. The inner case features a pendant, bow, a glazed bezel with domed glass, an engraved zigzag band, and an engraved radiating star on the case back. The case band displays foliage, scrollwork, and rosettes in medallions, with sound apertures.

The outer case is overlaid with tortoiseshell, inlaid with piqué metal pins, and features gold-coloured framed sound apertures. The interior of the outer case is lined with dark red velvet.

Evidence for this section
  • “Inner case with pendant and bow, glazed bezel with strongly domed glass and engraved zigzag band”
  • “case band engraved with foliage, scrollwork and rosettes in medallions, with sound apertures, case back with engraved radiating star”
  • “Outer case with tortoiseshell band, inlaid with gold-coloured pins (piqué) and with gold-coloured framed sound apertures”

Dial and Mechanism

The watch features a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals in Ottoman script and a minute track with dots and five-minute numerals. The dial is inscribed 'LONDON' and fitted with a pierced hour hand and a tapering minute hand.

The timepiece uses a gold-coloured full-plate verge movement with chain and fusee drive. Features include an engraved and pierced balance cock and a silver-coloured regulator disc with Ottoman numerals. The repeater mechanism strikes on an internal bell.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals in Ottoman script”
  • “Gold-coloured full-plate verge movement with chain and fusee”
  • “silver-coloured regulator disc with Ottoman numerals”

Open research questions

  • What is the physical condition of the internal repeater bell located inside the case?
  • Are there additional hallmarks present on the inner or outer cases beyond the described engravings?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Daniel de St Leu Ottoman-market verge quarter-repeating pair case pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Serial3828“movement plate signed identically, there with abbreviated "Watch Mar" and the same number "3828"”
Dust Cover InscriptionDan. De St Leu, Watch Maker to her Majesty, London, 3828“Dust cover signed "Dan. De St Leu", "Watch Maker to her Majesty", "London" and "3828"”
DimensionsDiameter 67 mm with outer case, 55 mm watch“D. 67 mm (with outer case), D. 55 mm (watch)”
Escapement and MovementGold-coloured full-plate verge movement with chain and fusee“Gold-coloured full-plate verge movement with chain and fusee”
Outer Case MaterialBrass overlaid with tortoiseshell and piqué pin inlay“Outer case with tortoiseshell band, inlaid with gold-coloured pins (piqué) and with gold-coloured framed sound apertures”
Dimensions67 mm (with outer case), 55 mm (watch)“D. 67 mm (with outer case), D. 55 mm (watch)”
Weight236 grams (with outer case and chain)“weight 236 g (with outer case and chain)”
StatusRunning“Movement running, without guarantee, service recommended.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring Ottoman numerals and marked 'LONDON' above the 6 position
  • Gold-toned pierced hour hand and pointed minute hand set under a domed crystal with an engraved zigzag bezel
  • Tortoiseshell-overlaid outer case decorated with piqué metal pin inlays and framed round sound apertures
  • Fitted with an attached double-strand chain and two winding keys

Research qualifications

  • Movement plates, fusee chain, repeater bell, and inner case interior are concealed in the provided photo
  • Source notes dial repair along the edge between the 2 and 3 o'clock positions

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

At Auction: Daniel de St Leu, gentleman's verge pocket watch with quarter repeater for the Ottoman market

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 19fc70d978

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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