259 - James Markwick

James Markwick An extremely rare, single-handed London verge pocket watch with alarm Dimensions: 47 mm, circa 1685, Weight: 123 g, Origin: England Case: Silver, openworked edges and finely engraved with fanciful birds, mascarons, and acanthus; rear bell. Dial: Silver champlevé, central alarm disc with Arabic numerals. Movement: Full-plate movement, chain/fusee, openworked and engraved barrel for the alarm, 1 hammer, five-arm steel balance. James Markwick was an important watchmaker who lived in London from 1650 to 1716. On June 25, 1656, he began his apprenticeship with Richard Taylor and later worked for Edmund Gilpin. On August 6, 1666, he was granted a master’s certificate by the Clockmakers’ Company, and from 1674 to 1699 he trained six apprentices of his own. In 1673, he took over the workshop of Samuel Betts near the London Exchange. Although he was a member of the Clockmakers’ Company, he rarely involved himself in the guild’s affairs and ceased all involvement there entirely after 1700. Markwick remained active until around 1706 and was the father of James Markwick Jr. The latter entered into a partnership with Robert Markham and continued the successor business under the name Markwick Markham. The firm became well known for its watches made for the Turkish market. Case: very good, slightly rubbed. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.