William Carpenter Chinese Market Coach Watch

Inventory Number: PW1904001

Made in England by William Carpenter circa 1780, 78mm, gilt brass with the enameled double case. The inner and outer cases depict two different portraits of western ladies. With hours, minutes, 1/5 foudroyante seconds (indicates each 1/6th of a second), the lunar calendar and start/stop mechanism. William Carpenter from London was known for making watches featuring foudroyante seconds. This timepiece is specially made for the Chinese market.

The Chinese market timepieces are specially made for the Chinese market in the 18th to 19th centuries by European watchmakers. It was originally used as a tribute to the Qing Dynasty royal family and spread among the public gradually.

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.