Unsigned - A lady's Swiss 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch retailed by Barraud & Lund

circa 1900, the front lid with blue enamel Roman numerals and chemin de fer chapter ring over a pink guilloché enamel background, the white dial, 30mm diameter, with black Roman numerals, blued double swell spade hands and chemin de fer chapter ring, unnumbered mechanical crown wind movement with hand setting button at 4 o'clock and onion shaped winder, case, 36mm diameter, verso hinged, plain and polished, interior stamped '18K', with Swiss Helvetia mark, numbered 33216, the cuvette similarly marked and engraved 'Barraud & Lunds Vendors 14 Bishopgate St Cornhill London 5996', gross weight 41g

Paul Philip Barraud and John Richard Lund were amongst the leading London watch and chronometer makers and retailers throughout the 19th century. The partnership was founded in 1838, but the Barraud family had been watchmakers since the mid 1700s. Both the dial and movement are unsigned so it is unlikely to have been of their manufacture, a theory substantiated by the engraving which simply mentions the partnership as 'vendors' rather than 'watchmakers'. It is more likely to have been a Swiss import which was simply retailed by them.

Condition Report

Case: Minor surface scratching, dents and dings as to be expected. Enamel in good condition with just some light surface scratching. Front and back covers operate satisfactorily

Crystal: Outer - light surface scratches and a chip to the edge at 5 o'clock. Minor grizzles to the edge at 7 o'clock. Inner - lacking

Dial: Good condition with no obvious signs of damage or cracking.

Movement: Not currently in working order. Hand setting button operative and the hands move freely in both directions. Balance runs briefly when shaken.