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Jean Paul Demelais worked in Geneva in the 1720’s and this example, made in the English style, was likely fabricated there. At this time, the supremacy of English watches was well established and fine makers working in Switzerland emulated the style of London watches to meet demand. Notice the absence of any location name on the back plate. It is likely that this watch was first retailed in Geneva, but could have been exported for sale in London or even America.
Circa 1735, gilt-brass verge and fusee movement of good-quality signed I. PAUL DEMELIAS with inward facing block letters. No location or serial number. Pierced and engraved foliate and scrolls balance table and foot with a shell at the neck and ruby end stone. Square baluster pillars and decorative fusee stop-work foot with a proud silver screw securing the spring (see photo). Unusual silver scalloped embellishment around the circumference of the back plate. Enamel dial with Roman hours and Arabic 15-minute index. Beetle & poker hands.
Plain silver pair case with what appears to be an “M” or “W” on the inner. The unidentified case mark may indicate Swiss or American case manufacture. Inner case has a 7-knuckle hinge, outer case a 5-knuckle hinge. Outer case is unmarked, 55 mm.
Great set of early 19th century American watch repair papers from Massachusetts and New York giving evidence that this watch was in America for a very long time and used for many generations.
Balch & Smith, 1815
Jesse Smith, 1816
Theodore Morgan, 1821
T. D. Lander, 1830's
Adam Henderson, 1830's
Jesse Smith, 1836
T. D. Lander, 1830's
Unidentified Case Mark
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