Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Enamel pocket watch

Ilbery, London, Movement No. 1227 Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 18k gold pocket watch, signed by Ilbery, London, is dated circa 1795 and was produced for the Chinese market. The back lid features a polychrome enamel composition of summer flowers painted over an engine-turned translucent dark red ground, framed by red enamelled bezels with gold ornaments. According to the auction description, the watch houses a gilt, key-wound full plate movement with verge escapement, chain and fusee, and a three-arm steel balance with a diamond endstone. The piece measures 51 mm in diameter and weighs 108 g.

Polychrome enamel summer flower composition on translucent red guilloché back cover
Polychrome enamel summer flower composition on translucent red guilloché back cover — Auktionen Dr. Crott. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Enamel pocket watch
Maker / attribution
William Ilbery
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
213
Source-reported date
circa 1795
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
1227

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

This pocket watch, catalogued under movement number 1227, is attributed to London watchmaker William Ilbery and dated circa 1795. The cataloguer identifies it as an early gold enamel watch created for the Chinese market. It features an 18k gold case stamped with the punch mark 'IM', which the auctioneer notes as possibly representing London casemaker Jonah Mince.

The cataloguer describes the movement as a classical English design, noting that the typical 'Chinese' bridge calibres had not been invented at the time and began appearing roughly 10 to 15 years later.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement No. 1227, 51 mm, 108 g, circa 1795”
  • “case maker's punch mark "IM" (possibly Jonah Mince, London)”
  • “The movement is a classical English design; the typical 'Chinese' bridge movements were not invented at the time and only started appearing about10 to 15 years later.”

Case Decoration and Visible Features

Visual observation of the back lid reveals a polychrome enamel floral painting depicting white, purple, yellow, and blue blossoms set against a translucent red ground with visible engine-turned guilloché patterning beneath. An outer border displays red enamel with gold leaf-like decorative patterns.

The auction cataloguer further describes the case as 18k gold with red enamelled bezels and pendant ornamented in gold, recording total case dimensions of 51 mm in diameter and a weight of 108 g.

Evidence for this section
  • “Polychrome enamel floral painting featuring various blossoms including white, purple, yellow, and blue flowers”
  • “Engine-turned guilloché pattern visible under translucent red enamel”
  • “Outer border decorated with red enamel and gold leaf-like patterns”
  • “the back lid with a fine composition of summer flowers against an engine-turned and translucent dark red ground, red enamelled bezels and pendant with gold ornaments”

Reported Movement and Dial Details

Because only the back cover is shown in the cataloguing photograph, dial and internal movement details are known strictly from the auction description. The dial is reported as domed white enamel with radial Roman numerals and gold hands.

The internal mechanism is described as a gilt, signed, keywound full-plate movement with verge escapement, chain and fusee, a three-arm steel balance, a florally engraved pierced balance cock, and a chatoned diamond endstone on the balance.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: enamel, domed, radial Roman numerals, gold hands”
  • “Movm.: very finely florally engraved full plate movement, keywind, gilt, signed, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance, chain/fusee, fine florally engraved, pierced balance cock, chatoned diamond endstone on balance.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks or assay marks are struck on the inside of the case alongside the 'IM' punch mark?
  • What is the exact signature text and placement engraved on the movement plates?
  • Can the enamel painting on the back cover be attributed to a documented Genevan enameller active for Ilbery, such as Jean-François-Victor Dupont or Jean-Louis Richter?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ilbery, London, Movement No. 1227 Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number1227“Movement No. 1227”
Case Material18k gold“Case: 18k gold”
EscapementVerge escapement“verge escapement”
Maker's MarkIM“case maker's punch mark "IM"”
Weight108 g“108 g”
Balance EndstoneDiamond (chatoned)“chatoned diamond endstone on balance”
Dial DetailsDomed enamel, radial Roman numerals, gold hands“Dial: enamel, domed, radial Roman numerals, gold hands”

Visible details

  • Polychrome enamel floral painting featuring various blossoms including white, purple, yellow, and blue flowers
  • Engine-turned guilloché pattern visible under translucent red enamel
  • Outer border decorated with red enamel and gold leaf-like patterns

Research qualifications

  • The cuvette, dial, movement, and pendant are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Maker of the punch mark 'IM' is noted by the auction house as only possibly Jonah Mince, London.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: (*) Ilbery, London, Movement No. 1227, 51 mm, 108 g, circa 1795

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 901bcdfd53

Terms in this record

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

Other enamel pocket watch records