Effingham Embree was a watchmaker working in New York City in the late 18th century. This watch appears to have a substantial amount of American content although much of the ebauche is certainly of English origin. The case on this watch is gilt metal and therefore does not have hallmarks. The serial number 729 could represent watches made by or for Embree, but would be a very large personal output for six years while he was also managing his business.
Effingham Embree was born in 1759 and was in business on his own in New York from 1789 to 1795. After 1795 he relocated to Long Island and sold his New York business to Stephen Van Wyck. Prior to 1789 he was in business with Joseph Pearsall. The firm of Pearsall and Embree was in business from roughly 1781 to 1789. Pearsall was a Loyalist and was not in the United States during the Revolutionary War.*
This watch could have been produced anytime from 1781 to 1795. The elegant dial is indicative of a later date perhaps as late as 1795.
Front, Back, Dial, Dial Closeup, Inner Case Front, Inner Case Back, Dust Cover, Inside Dust Cover, Case Hinge, Movement, Movement Edge View 1, Movement Edge View 2
*Thanks to David Grace for information on the Effingham Embry business interests.