(*) Markwick Markham & Perigal A rare, ornamental London quarter repeating gold enamel triple-cased pocket watch for the Ottoman market Movm. No. 20359, Dimensions 61 mm, circa 1810, Weight 209 g, Origin English Case: gold and polychrome enamel, glazed on one side, diamond-set pusher, rear bell. Dial: enamel, radial Ottoman numerals, gold Poker & Beetle hands. Movm.: full plate movement, keywind, 2 hammers, three-arm steel balance. The partly open work rim of the gold transport case is decorated with opaque pink and light blue enameling with floral elements; the back of this outer case has a glass panel. The back of the gold intermediate case has a translucent blue enamel frame around its edge and a delicate enamel miniature in the centre showing old ruins in a lavish summer countryside. The rim is similarly ornamented as that of the transport case, with a scalloped edge with bicolour Champlevé flower decoration; the motif is repeated on the back of the inner case. To emphasise the beautiful sound of the strike, the rim is also open-worked and elaborately hand-engraved. James Markwick & Markwick Markham James Markwick and his son James were both fine watchmakers and worked in London. The elder was apprenticed on 25 June 1656 to Richard Taylor, and subsequently to Edward Gilpin. He became free of the Clockmakers' Company on 6 August 1666. Six apprentices were bound to him between 1674 and 1699. In 1673 he succeeded the business of Samuel Betts behind the Royal Exchange. Although he held office in the Clockmakers' Company, he was irregular in attendance, ceasing to tend to its affairs after 1700. He worked until at least 1706. His son, James Markwick Jr., became free of the Company in 1692 by patrimony. The younger James Markwick was an eminent maker, Master of the Clockmakers' Company in 1720 and a very early user of jeweled bearings. In later years he was in partnership with his son-in-law Robert Markham, who succeeded him using the trading name of Markwick Markham, which became famous for watches destined for the Turkish market. Not only did this notoriety encourage the appearance of spuriously signed watches, but at the end of the century Markham, or his successor, associated the names of other watchmakers with their own products intended for the East. The makers thus found associated are: Francis Perigal, Peter Upjohn, H. Story, Borrell, John Johnson, Louis Recordon, Dupont. All were reputable watch-makers in their own right, selling other products under their own names. Case: very good, alterations, slightly chipped. Dial: very good. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended. Case: very good, alterations, slightly chipped. Dial: very good. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.