Pocket watch · Pair-cased clock watch

Markwick Markham, Perigal London Gold and Enamel Pair-Cased Clock Watch

Partially verified

This gold and enamel pair-cased clock watch was made circa 1796 for the Ottoman Turkish market. The auction catalogue records London hallmarks for 1796 alongside the maker's mark VW on the case. Its white enamel dial is signed Markwick Markham and Perigal London, fitted with Turkish numerals and later replacement hands. The source reports a gilt full-plate verge movement signed and numbered Markwick Markham, Borrel, featuring a pierced and engraved balance cock, a diamond endstone, and a striking and repeating mechanism on a bell for hours and quarters. Both the inner and outer cases display intricate pierced work and polychrome enamelling.

Dial and front case view of the pair-cased clock watch — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.sothebys.com
Category: Pocket watch · Pair-cased clock watch
Maker / attribution: Markwick Markham, Perigal London
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 207
Source-reported date: circa 1796
Country: United Kingdom

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

Construction and Market Context

This pair-cased clock watch is dated by the source to circa 1796 and is noted as being made for the Turkish market. The gold exterior features a decorative program including polychrome enamel vignettes of the Sultan Ahmet Camii Mosque, military trophies, and chequer-board patterns along the band.

The outer case is pierced and decorated with polychrome enamel military trophies over translucent deep purple enamel, accented by gilt foliate swags in turquoise, sky blue, and white. The pendant includes a diamond-set push piece, and the inner case is pierced and engraved with scrolls.

Evidence for this section

“MADE FOR THE TURKISH MARKET CIRCA 1796”
“pierced outer case with a polychrome enamel of military trophies on translucent deep purple enamel”
“blue enamel vignettes of the Sultan Ahmet Camii Mosque, diamond-set push piece”
“the inner case pierced and engraved with scrolls to the band”

Dial and Movement

The white enamel dial features Ottoman Turkish numerals and is signed 'Markwick Markham, Perigal London'. The source indicates that the hands are later replacements and notes the dial has a small hairline crack between 6 and 8 o'clock.

The movement is a gilt full-plate verge type with a pierced and engraved balance cock and a diamond endstone set in a screwed chaton. It is signed and numbered by 'Markwick Markham, Borrel' and contains a striking and repeating mechanism for hours and quarters.

Evidence for this section

“white enamel dial, Turkish numerals, later hands, signed Markwick Markham, Perigal London”
“a small hairline between 6h and 8h”
“gilt full plate verge movement, pierced and engraved balance cock, diamond endstone set in a screwed chaton”
“striking repeating clock watch mechanism on a bell for hours and quarters”
“signed and numbered Markwick Markham, Borrel”

Documentation and Condition

The watch bears a London hallmark for 1796 and a case maker's mark identified as 'VW'. At the time of cataloguing, the movement was running, though the source recommended a service for future operation and preservation.

The source provides a qualified condition report, noting the case is 'slightly scuffed to the surface' and the dial has minor edge chips. It clarifies that such reports are subjective opinions and do not guarantee the authenticity of individual components.

Evidence for this section

“case maker VW, hallmark London 1796”
“Movement running while cataloguing, a service in the near future is recommended”
“Enamel dial in good condition, very slightly chipped to the edge”
“Pair-cased in overall very well preserved condition, slightly scuffed to the surface”

Open research questions

What is the full name of the 'VW' case maker associated with London 1796 hallmarks?
Does the 'Borrel' signature on the movement refer to a specific clockmaker or partnership within the Markwick Markham firm?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Markwick Markham, Perigal London Gold and Enamel Pair-Cased Clock Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Market	Turkish market	“MADE FOR THE TURKISH MARKET CIRCA 1796”
Diameter	48 mm	“diameter 48 mm”
Movement	Gilt full plate verge movement	“gilt full plate verge movement, pierced and engraved balance cock”
Dial signature	Markwick Markham, Perigal London	“signed Markwick Markham, Perigal London”
Movement signature	Markwick Markham, Borrel	“signed and numbered Markwick Markham, Borrel”
Hallmark and case maker	London 1796, case maker VW	“case maker VW, hallmark London 1796”
Diameter	48 mm	“diameter 48 mm”

Visible details

White enamel dial bearing Ottoman Turkish numerals and twin central signatures.
Two decorative hands with fleur-de-lis-style motifs (noted by source as later).
Gilt open bow with a gem-set push piece atop the pendant.
Chequer-patterned and pierced outer bezel around the dial circumference.

Research qualifications

The hands are catalogued as later replacements.
Movement signature includes Borrel, differing from the dial signatures.
Only the dial face is visible in the photograph; movement, inner case, and rear enamelling are known only from the catalogue description.

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

Consulted source

(#207) Markwick Markham, London

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 049cf2fd6d

Terms in this record

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