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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Daniel Quare gilt quarter repeating pocket watch No. 280

Partially verified

According to the auction catalogue, this antique pocket watch was produced circa 1715 by Daniel Quare in London. It features a gilt full plate verge movement with a fusee for the going train, a pierced and engraved foliate balance cock, and a silvered regulation dial. The movement is signed and recorded as No. 280. The time is displayed on a white enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers, an outer Arabic minute track, and blued steel beetle and poker hands. The movement is housed in a pierced, chased, and engraved outer gilt case measuring 52 mm in diameter.

Front view of the Daniel Quare gilt quarter repeating pocket watch showing the pierced bezel and enamel dial
Front view of the Daniel Quare gilt quarter repeating pocket watch showing the pierced bezel and enamel dial — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Daniel Quare
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
64
Source-reported date
circa 1715
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
280

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 Attribution

In the Sotheby's New York auction catalogue for June 8, 2016, Lot 64 was catalogued as a gilt quarter repeating watch attributed to Daniel Quare of London, assigned movement number 280, and dated circa 1715.

The movement is noted by the auction house as signed, though the specific text, layout, and placement of the signature are not recorded in the cataloguing text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lot 64 : DANIEL QUARE, LONDON | A FINE GILT QUARTER REPEATING WATCH NO 280 CIRCA 1715”
  • “movement signed”

Case and Dial Configuration

The auction description documents an outer gilt case measuring 52 mm in diameter, decorated with pierced, chased, and engraved work. Visual observation confirms prominent pierced and engraved scrollwork along the gilt case band and bezel, a gilt pendant and suspension bow mounted at the 12 o'clock position, and a protruding hinge on the left flank.

The time display features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer Arabic minute track, paired with blued steel beetle and poker hands mounted centrally.

Evidence for this section
  • “outer gilt case with pierced, chased and engraved decoration”
  • “diameter 52 mm”
  • “white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute track, blued steel beetle and poker hands”
  • “Prominent pierced and engraved scrollwork along the gilt case band and bezel.”
  • “Gilt pendant and suspension bow mounted at the 12 o'clock position.”
  • “Protruding case hinge visible on the left flank.”

Movement Architecture and Reported Function

Internal specifications documented by the cataloguer state that the pocket watch contains a gilt full plate verge movement, a pierced and engraved balance cock decorated with foliate work, a fusee for the going train, and a silvered regulation dial.

According to the auctioneer's condition report, the quarter repeating complication was operating at the time of examination, but the movement was noted as needing service and had not been checked for timekeeping accuracy.

Evidence for this section
  • “gilt full plate verge movement, pierced and engraved balance cock decorated with foliate, fusee for the going train, silvered regulation dial”
  • “Movement needs to be serviced. The quarter repeating is operating.”
  • “Please note that the movement has not been checked for timekeeping accuracy and Sotheby's will not be held responsible for any repairs should they be require.”

Condition and Originality Assessments

The specialist condition report explicitly notes that the white enamel dial is 'probably later' and displays black spots and surface scuffs.

Wear is also noted across the blued steel hands, and the gilt case is described as bearing scuffs throughout.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial is probably later and in good condition with some black spots and scuffs.”
  • “Hands are worn. Case with scuffs throughout.”

Open research questions

  • What is the precise inscription, signature format, and serial number layout engraved on the movement top plate?
  • Does the watch retain an inner case characteristic of early 18th-century pair-cased repeaters, or is it an altered or single-cased construction?
  • What physical characteristics of the dial plate or its mounting led the auction cataloguer to determine it is probably a later replacement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Daniel Quare gilt quarter repeating pocket watch No. 280
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MovementGilt full plate verge movement with fusee“gilt full plate verge movement, pierced and engraved balance cock decorated with foliate, fusee for the going train, silvered regulation dial”
DialWhite enamel dial with Roman numerals and blued hands“white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute track, blued steel beetle and poker hands”
Diameter52 mm“diameter 52 mm”
CaseOuter gilt case with pierced, chased, and engraved decoration“outer gilt case with pierced, chased and engraved decoration”
Complication FunctionQuarter repeating operating at time of cataloguing“The quarter repeating is operating.”
Dial AssessmentCatalogued as probably later“The dial is probably later and in good condition with some black spots and scuffs.”
Movement Service StatusNeeds service; not tested for timekeeping accuracy“Please note that the movement has not been checked for timekeeping accuracy and Sotheby's will not be held responsible for any repairs should they be require. Movement needs to be serviced.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer Arabic minute track at five-minute intervals.
  • Blued steel beetle and poker hands mounted centrally.
  • Prominent pierced and engraved scrollwork along the gilt case band and bezel.
  • Gilt pendant and suspension bow mounted at the 12 o'clock position.
  • Protruding case hinge visible on the left flank.

Research qualifications

  • The auction condition report states that the dial is probably later.
  • The movement was reported to need servicing, though the repeating mechanism was operating at the time of cataloguing.
  • Movement details described in the lot text are internal and not visible in the primary frontal image.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: DANIEL QUARE, LONDON | A FINE GILT QUARTER REPEATING WATCH NO 280 CIRCA 1715

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9ddb6e5d3a

Terms in this record

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

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