Here is an incredibly rare and horologically important and rare 18th century antique pocket watch by Cumming and Grant. This is a pocket watch not to be taken lightly nor not truly appreciated for its incredible quality, rarity and beauty.
Alexander Cumming was not only an acclaimed watch maker who was so well regarded that he was appointed a member of the commission set up in 1763 to adjudicate on John Harrison's infamous ‘timekeeper for discovering the longitude at sea’", he also made a barometrical clock for King George III which was the first accurate recording barograph, he wrote books about watch and clock mechanisms, about the effect on roads of carriage wheels with rims of various shapes, and on the influence of gravity.
- Read below the images for a brief article on Alexander Cumming and John Grant.
This particular pocket watch was made in 18ct yellow gold and measures 56.5mm across by 75mm from the bottom to the top of the fancy bow. Set with thirty eight pearls around the dial, these pearls are all original and perfectly matched in colour and highlight the dial so well. The dial itself is in pristine condition and is all original with no cracks and the hands themselves display the time so perfectly.
Turning this magnificent pocket watch over reveals a further thirty seven pearls surrounding and extraordinary guilloché enamel back in a vibrant cobalt blue colour. With a very small and minor repair to the enamel, it is just so incredible and tactile to run your fingers over.
On the top of the bow is set a 0.60 carat rose cut diamond which reflects the light so incredibly well and highlights the quality of craftsmanship that went into making this pocket watch over 220 years ago.
On the side of the case near the 3 o'clock position are two very subtle and discreet pins that when pushed will either open the front cover or the back. And then once the inside is opened, this will reveal a movement that will simply take your breath away.
This fusee movement pocket watch has all been completely serviced and is set with another rose cut diamond acting as the diamond end stone again showing the quality that went into the actual movement. With an exquisite hand engraved balance cock that itself is just mesmerising there was no substitute for quality in making this pocket watch and it is a real testament to the exceptional work that was being produced over two centuries ago.
There is no doubt that this pocket watch is up there with the best of the best, and is for any collector of fine and exquisite pocket watches.
Stock#
Hallmarked: London 1789
Maker: Cumming & Grant
$Sold.
Out of stock
Here is a very rare 18th century antique pocket watch by Cumming and Grant made in 18ct yellow gold, set with pearls, an enamel back, enamel dial, rose cut diamond end stone and further rose cut diamond on the bow. This is a pocket watch not to be taken lightly nor not truly appreciated for its incredible quality, rarity and beauty.
A small piece on the eminent watchmaker Alexander Cumming and his nephew, John Grant (Senior).
Alexander Cumming (1733-1844) was a famous Scottish watchmaker and inventor who not only made this pocket watch but invented the design of the flush toilet, that had been invented earlier by Sir John Harrington. The S-trap was invented by him in 1775 to retain water permanently within the bowl to prevent sewer gases from entering buildings. It can still be found in today's plumbing modified as a U- or J-shaped pipe trap located below or within a plumbing fixture.
He was so well regarded as a watch maker, that he was appointed a member of the commission set up in 1763 to adjudicate on John Harrison's infamous ‘timekeeper for discovering the longitude at sea’". He was commissioned by King George III to make a barometrical clock which was the first accurate recording barograph. This took him two years to make and he was kept on a retainer to continue to maintain it. He also wrote books about watch and clock mechanisms, about the effect on roads of carriage wheels with rims of various shapes, and on the influence of gravity.
In 1770 with John Hill, he is credited with the invention of the microtome, which is a machine for making extremely thin slices used in slide-preparation.
John Grant (Senior) was the nephew of Alexander Cumming and later with his son also call John, continued to produce high grade pocket watches.
