Back to the main page Back to category Antique

watch details

A.GAUNT MELBOURNE SPLIT SECOND MINUTE REPEATER 18k GOLD DEMI HUNTER POCKET WATCH

Estimated price for orientation: 15 999 $

Category: Antique
Class:











Description
Condition: Pre-owned: An item that has been used or worn previously. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Unbranded
Movement: Mechanical: Hand-winding Material: Solid Gold
Type: Hand-winding MPN: Does Not Apply
Display: Analog Closure: Double Half Hunter
Casing: Yellow Gold Features: Chronograph, Repeater
Product Type: POCKET WATCH


The condition of the dial and hands is excellent with no cracks, signed A. Gaunt & CO Melbourne.  The watch is working well when wound and is keeping time. The minute repeating function works when you slide on the lever at the 6 o’clock position and the split second chronograph starts stops and resets as it should by pushing the buttons at 11 & 12 o'clock. The movement is stamped made in switzerland.The white enamel dial with black numbers is signed A. Gaunt & CO Melbourne The solid 18k demi hunter case with double snap back case is made from heavy 18k yellow gold and measures 53.2mm across and weighs 132.5g fully signed GS.Info from the Melbourne museum below
Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business in Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade, and Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock, and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focussed on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical goldware and silverware, including for St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt died in 1890, leaving a substantial estate of 41,453 pounds. The firm continued to operate under the name of T. Gaunt & Co.