William Carpenter Chinese Market Coach Watch

Inventory number: PW1809011

Circa late 18th century, 83mm, gilt brass with fine hand-engraving skeletonized pair cases. Signed William Carpenter. With three horological complications: Grande Sonnerie and Petite Sonnerie, moon phase.

William Carpenter from London was known for making watches featuring foudroyante seconds or musical automata. He was presumably born in 1727 and freed from the Clockmaker's Company in 1781. Usually his work was intended for Eastern markets. His dials were always designed to be visually interesting with a variety of complications. There are examples of clocks and watches by William Carpenter at the Palace Museum, Beijing.