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Lot 1619
GENTLEMAN'S NINE CARAT GOLD FULL HUNTER POCKET WATCH WITH ALBERT CHAIN Waltham, the white dial with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds at six, signed keyless wind movement stamped ''A.W.W.Co WALTHAM MASS 15 JEWELS 18944313'', Chester hallmarks, 50mm diameter; suspended on a hallmarked nine carat gold Albert chain with nine carat gold masonic fob, 160gms gross
Lot 1331
An Edwardian silver open face pocket watch, Climax Trip Action Patent, retailed by H Samuals Manchester, white dial, bold Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, key wind movement, Chester 1907; a continental 935 silver fob watch suspended from a white metal Albertina chain; another white metal open face fob watch (3)
Lot 352
AN ETERNA-MATIC 18CT GOLD SELF WINDING GENTLEMAN'S WRISTWATCH CENTENAIRE 33cm diam, a 9ct gold gentleman's wristwatch in tonneau case, Edinburgh, date letter rubbed, c1940 and a silver keyless lever watch (3) ++Eterna-Matic wristwatch non-running but complete and apparently only in need of a service, moderate case wear. The other wristwatch engraved on the case back with initials and dates, case wear, movement apparently in good working order. Silver pocket watch in working order with typical wear to engine turning on back
Lot 205
By American Waltham Watch Co - a gentleman's 9ct gold half-hunter cased pocket watch, the white dial printed with Arabic numerals in black, subsidiary seconds, the keyless etched movement signed AWW Co, Waltham, Mass - N0 22831872, 50mm diameter, case marked for London 1921, gross weight 94.9gm, mounted on a 9ct gold double extended baton link watch chain, 42.5cm, 24gm and a small 9ct gold fob snuffbox by Cohen & Charles, Chester 1922, of plain rectangular form with hinged cover and suspension ring, 4.75cm, 12.7gm (3) Watch balance turns but does not run. Inner case cover broken at hinge but present, chain in good condition, snuff box in good condition
Lot 206
By Jas Mann, Norwich - a George III 18ct gold pair cased pocket watch, the gold coloured dial engraved with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, the verge movement with diamond endstone, signed Jas Mann, Norwich, case marked for London 1815, dial 45mm diameter, inner case 48mm diameter, outer case 53mm diameter, gross weight 149.3gm
Lot 207
By J W Benson - a 9ct gold half-hunter cased pocket watch, the white enamel dial printed with Roman numerals, signed J W Benson London, subsidiary seconds dial, the keyless three-quarter plate movement signed 'The New Ludgate Best London Make 9460', 40mm dial, case marked for London 1939, 50mm diameter, gross weight 88.3gm, together with a 9ct rose gold curb link watch chain with T-bar and two spring clips, also a 9ct gold fob medallion, chain 36.5cm, 30.7gm, all contained in a fitted J W Benson presentation case In good condition and in working order
Lot 208
By Charles Frodsham - a late 19th century 18ct gold hunter case repeating perpetual calendar pocket watch with chronograph, the white enamel dial with Roman black numerals, four subsidiary dials indicating day, date, months and leap year, constant seconds and aperture showing phases of the moon, sweep centre seconds, signed Chas Frodsham no. 08153, the gilt-finished three quarter plate movement with keyless jewelled free sprung lever escapement raised barrel with rose-cut diamond end stone, bi-metallic compensated balance, repeating hours, quarters and minutes on two gongs operated by a slide in the band, the chronograph mechanism operated by a button in the band, movement signed Charles Frodsham, no. 08153, By Appointment to the Queen, 84 Strand, London, Partly Made In Switzerland. In plain polished case, hallmarked London, 1890, case 55mm wide together with a fine two coloured 9ct gold watch chain, 38.5cm, an 18ct gold fob medallion relating to Hendon Golf Club 1914, 25mm diameter and an 18ct gold bloodstone and cornelian set swivel fob In good working order but centresweep seconds does not zero to 12 o'clock , surface scratches to case
Lot 283
A fine quality late Georgian repeating pocket watch in 18ct gold. The solid, highly ornate case showing a Baron's coronet, the inner case inscribed E & W Smith, Jewellers to His Majesty, 30 Maddox St, No.1548. The gold dial also heavily engraved, the watch on a fine gold chain with gold key. In a box by Albert and Klaftenberger, maker to the Queen, 157 Regent Street. This watch was formerly owned by Her Grace, The Dowager Duchess of Buccleuch, Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria (antique label attached to box)
Lot 729
COLLECTION OF MAUCHLINE WARE including a trinket box, two smaller boxes, a napkin ring, aide-mémoire, and a pocket watch stand, featuring pictorial images of 'The New Pier, Skegness', 'Welsh Costumes', 'Grand Parade, Eastbourne', 'High Street, Sevenoaks', 'Dunkeld Cathedral', 'Bridge of Allan', 'Jedburgh Abbey' and others, the pocket watch holder approximately 11cm high (12)
Lot 106
A fine William III gilt brass verge pocket watch movement with 'pendulum' balance John Shaw, Holborn, circa 1700 The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four fine tulip pillars pinned through the backplate and scroll-pierced stop-iron block, the balance cock with herringbone bordered rim and semi-circular segment cut away to reveal oscillating balance incorporating disc 'pendulum bob', the covered section engraved with text To increase ye figure makes, it go faster to decreas, it slower within scroll borders and with adjacent female mask decoration at the junction with the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by steel regulation square opposing signature IOHN SHAW, HOLBORN, (lacking dial), the pillar plate 39mm (1.5ins) diameter. John Shaw is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born circa 1661, apprenticed in June 1675 first to William Herbert before passing to Thomas Taylor of Holborn (in September 1675) and gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1682. By 1692 John Shaw was working in the parish of St. Andrews, Holborn; he was made an Assistant of the Clockmakers' Company in 1705, served as Warden from 1709 and was Master in 1712. He is believed to have died in around 1718. The current lot is an interesting variant which appears to have first been devised in Holland shortly after the introduction of the pendulum - with the visible 'pendulum' balance probably serving to give the impression of improved accuracy. A similar movement by Shaw is illustrated in Camerer Cuss, T.P. The Country Life Book of WATCHES page 43 (fig. 42.).
Lot 107
A gilt brass verge pocket watch movement Signed for Markwick, London but possibly Dutch, circa 1695 The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four unusual fine foliate scroll pierced pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with conforming pierced foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied scroll pierced infill opposing engraved signature for Markwick London, now fitted with a white enamel Arabic numeral dial (hands lacking), the pillar plate 39mm (1.5ins) diameter. James Markwick senior is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as apprenticed in 1756 to Edmund Gilpin (through Richard Taylor); he initially worked at Croydon before returning to London where he gained his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1666. In 1673 he took-over the former business of Samuel Betts at behind the Royal Exchange. Markwick had a turbulent relationship with the Clockmakers' Company - in 1676 he was fined for abuse of the Master at the Steward's feast and was often reprimanded for not attending court. James Markwick junior was born in Croydon in 1662 and was apprenticed to his father gaining his freedom (by patrimony) in 1692. He initially went into partnership with his father before gaining outright control of the business on the latter's retirement to Pevensey in Sussex in around 1700 (where he subsequently died in 1716). In around 1710-15 James Markwick junior went into partnership with Robert Markham which lasted until the former's death in 1730. The business was subsequently continued by Markham and his successors and specialised in producing clocks and watches for export to the Middle East. Although the current lot appears to closely resemble contemporary English examples the unusual design of foliate pieced movement pillar and positioning of the regulation disc to the left hand side of the movement backplate (when viewed with cock uppermost) would suggest that the current lot may be of Dutch workmanship.
Lot 108
A fine George II gilt brass verge pocket watch movement with silver balance cock Isaac Loddington, London, circa 1730 The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced silver balance cock with grotesque mask detail at the junction with the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied gilt infill modelled as a coiled snake opposing signature Isa Lodington, LONDON and serial number 1167 , now fitted with a white enamel Roman numeral dial (hands lacking) the pillar plate 36mm (1.5ins approx.) diameter. Isaac Loddington is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in London 1720-34.
Lot 109
A fine Queen Anne gilt brass verge pocket watch movement with silver balance cock William Threlkeld, London, early 18th century The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four Egyptian pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced silver balance cock with grotesque mask detail at the junction with the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied gilt scroll infill opposing signature Wm. Thelkeld, LONDON and serial number 272 (dial plate present but with no dial, balance and staff lacking), the pillar plate 40mm (1.5ins approx.) diameter. William Threlkeld (II) is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born in Brancepath, County Durham in 1674. He was a trained watchmaker and goldsmith who by 1695 had moved to London and had set up business in the Parish of St. Michael, Cornhill. By 1726 Threkeld had moved to St. Martin in the Fields where he took Thomas Hudson as an apprentice. In 1728 he is listed as working 'In ye Strand near ye new Exchange', and is believed to have died in around 1750
Lot 110
A fine Queen Anne gilt brass verge pocket watch movement with silver balance cock John Ellicott, London, early 18th century The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four Egyptian pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced silver balance cock with grotesque mask detail at the junction with the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied gilt scroll infill opposing signature Jn'o Ellicott, LONDON (dial plate present but with no dial), the pillar plate 40mm (1.5ins approx.) diameter. John Ellicott senior is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born probably in Bodmin, Cornwall circa 1673, he was apprenticed in London in 1687 to John Waters gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1696. Ellicott became Company Assistant in 1726 and held the position of Warden from 1731 until his death in 1733. Loomes notes that he is regarded as an 'eminent watchmaker'. His son also named John succeeded his business and built on the firm foundations of his father to become one of the famous clock and watchmakers of his generation.
Lot 111
A Queen Anne gilt brass verge pocket watch movement with silver balance cock Avenell, London, early 18th century The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four square baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced silver balance cock with grotesque mask detail at the junction with the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied gilt scroll infill opposing signature Avenell, Royall, EXCHANGE, LONDON, now fitted with a convex white enamel Roman numeral dial, the pillar plate 35mm (1.375ins) diameter. An Edward Avenall is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born in Highworth, Wiltshire in 1684, and apprenticed to Joseph Duke in 1698 gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in July 1706. Avenall had two sons, Edward who was apprenticed to the Vintners' Company in 1724, and John who was apprenticed through the Clockmakers' Company to his father in 1725. Loomes further notes that Edward Avenall senior is believed to have lived until after 1749.
Lot 112
A Queen Anne Anglo-Dutch gilt brass verge pocket watch movement Clarke and Dunster, London and Amsterdam, early 18th century The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four square baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced balance cock with the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc within adjacent applied gilt scroll infill opposing signature CLARKE & DUNSTER and conforming further applied pierced decoration, fitted with gilt champleve dial engraved with repeat signature CLARKE, DUNSTER and with calendar aperture to centre within Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers, Arabic five minute lozenges to outer track and fitted with fine sculpted steel hands, the pillar plate 39mm (1.5ins) diameter. Christopher Clarke is recorded in Loomes Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born at 'Kelloby' in around 1688 and married Anna, the daughter of Ahasuerus Fromanteel (II) in 1694. He is known to have worked with his brother John before entering into partnership with Fromanteel in Amsterdam until the latter's death in 1703. Roger Dunster is noted by Loomes as working in Amsterdan by 1700 before going into partnership with Christopher Clarke after Fromanteels' death in 1703 - which lasted until around 1725-30. The partnership of Clarke and Dunster were direct successors to the Fromanteel family and produced clocks and watches for both the English and Dutch markets.
Lot 113
A William III gilt brass verge pocket watch movement Simon Decharmes, London, circa 1695 The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four Egyptian pillars incorporating foliate-pierced galleries pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with herringbone bordered rim, scallop shell centre and female mask decoration at the junction with the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied scroll pierced infill opposing signature S. Decharmes, London, (lacking dial), the pillar plate 37mm (1.4375ins) diameter. Simon DeCharmes was a French Huguenot immigrant clock and watchmaker who became a Free Brother of the Clockmakers Company in 1691. His work can be directly compared with that of his contemporary Claude DuChesne with both makers being particularily well known for producing highly decorative clocks usually with playing music or with other complications such as long duration. There are at least two clocks known where DuChesne has supplied the movement to DeCharmes including a fine walnut three month duration quarter-repeating longcase clock which was sold in these rooms on the 9th September 2009 (lot 102). Simon DeCharmes is known to have been working in London up to around 1730 when it is thought that he may have returned to France.
Lot 114
A fine gilt brass verge pocket watch movement Signed for Daniel Delander, early 18th century The gilt full plate single fusee dial-winding verge movement with four unusual twist-turned baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with unusual symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance bridge secured by three small leaf engraved feet pinned to the backplate beside a silvered regulation disc within applied scroll pierced silver infill over engraved signature DANIEL, DELANDER, LONDON and serial number 324 within leafy scroll engraved decoration, now fitted with a convex white Roman numeral dial, the pillar plate 35mm (1.375ins) diameter. Daniel Delander is recorded in Loomes, Brian The Early CLOCKMAKERS of Great Britain as born circa 1678 and apprenticed to Charles Halstead before being transferred to Thomas Tompion and gaining his Freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1699. He initially worked as 'servant' to Thomas Tompion from Devereux Court and later (after Tompion's death in 1713) from 'within Temple Bar', Fleet Street. He was a fine maker whose work was clearly influenced by his master but is perhaps best known for his series of particularly fine duplex escapement longcase clocks as well as long duration clocks often with refinements such as equation of time. Delander appeared to also share his master's exacting standards with regards to the quality and design of the cases for his clocks, with his table clocks often mirroring those of Tompion and his successor George Graham. The balance bridge of the current lot is highly unusual in that it is secured by three small leaf-engraved feet pinned to the backplate rather than being of single-footed 'cock' design. Standard balance bridges with two feet screwed to the backplate are typical of 17th century French practice and late Dutch 'copies (see lots 97 and 94) however these also tend to differ in layout of the regulation (when compared to English examples) with Dutch copies invariably identifiable due to having the regulation disc positioned the opposite side of the balance. The current lot however would appear to be laid-out in the English manner and finished to a suitably high standard. Furthermore the presence of a full signature and serial number would suggest that the watch was indeed made by Delander as Dutch 'copies' tend not to include the full name. It would therefore seem that the unusual design of balance bridge is an expression of Delander's individual inventive approach.
Lot 115
A George II gilt brass verge pocket watch movement with cylinder escapement Delander, London, second quarter of the 18th century The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four square baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, cylinder escapement, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced balance cock with diamond endstone and decorated with a female mask at the junction with the with the conforming engraved foot flanked by silvered regulation disc within adjacent applied gilt engraved infill opposing signature Delander, London and serial number 1365 , with original dust cover engraved with repeat signature and serial number and now fitted with a convex white enamel Arabic numeral dial fitted with gold spade hands, the pillar plate 35mm (1.375ins) diameter. The current lot can be stylistically dated to around 1730 hence could have been made by either Daniel Delander or his son Nathaniel. Daniel Delander is recorded in Loomes, Brian The Early CLOCKMAKERS of Great Britain as born circa 1678 and apprenticed to Charles Halstead before being transferred to Thomas Tompion and gaining his Freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1699. He initially worked as 'servant' to Thomas Tompion from Devereux Court and later (after Tompion's death in 1713) from 'within Temple Bar', Fleet Street. He was a fine maker whose work was clearly influenced by his master but is perhaps best known for his series of particularly fine duplex escapement longcase clocks as well as long duration clocks often with refinements such as equation of time. Daniel Delander died in 1733 and was succeeded by his son Nathaniel who is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as gaining his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company in 1725, he was appointed Master in 1747 and died in 1762. The cylinder escapement was developed in around 1695 by Thomas Tompion and further refined by George Graham in 1726. This new escapement was perhaps the first developed exclusively for watch work and, as well as being a better rate keeper, the cylinder escapement also allowed movements to be made more compact (due to the escapement operating in one plane only). However, being a form of frictional rest escapement, the cylinder escapement was prone to relatively heavy rates of wear hence was less reliable than the verge (until hardened steel escape wheels and ruby cylinders were developed later in the 18th century).
Lot 116
A Queen Anne silver pair-cased verge pocket watch with champleve dial John Smallwood, Lichfield, early 18th century The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four square Egyptian pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with herringbone bordered rim and female mask at the junction of the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied scroll pierced infill opposing signature John Smallwood, Lichfield , fitted with circular silver champleve dial with scroll bordered panel signature cartouches engraved SMALLWOOD, LICHFIELD to the matted centre within Roman numeral chapter ring with lozenge half hour markers and Arabic lozenge five minute numerals to outer track, with gold beetle and poker hands, the plain inner case with indistinct maker's mark only, fitted with convex glass and suspension post, the outer case similarly marked, the pillar plate 41mm (1.625ins) diameter, the outer case 57mm (2.25ins) diameter overall. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Dr. David Torrens, subsequently acquired by the vendor from Charles Allix in the 1950's. John Smallwood is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as working in Lichfield, Staffordshire by 1711 and selling-up his stock in 1741.
Lot 117
A George III gilt pair-cased verge pocket watch Richard Baker, Tamworth, 1781 The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four column turned pillars, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with decorated rim and vase at the junction of the conforming wedge-shaped foot flanked by silvered regulation disc within applied scroll pierced infill opposing signature RICH'D BAKER, TAMWORTH and serial number 110 engraved to a banner within conforming further scroll pieced infill, fitted with circular white enamel Roman numeral dial polychrome painted with a courting couple within a pastoral landscape to centre, with Arabic quarters to outer track and gold hands, the plain silver gilt inner case fitted with convex glass and suspension post and marked for London 1781 maker IB , the gilt metal outer case with push-button clasp, the pillar plate 34mm (1.25ins approx.) diameter, the outer case 44mm (1.75ins approx.) diameter overall. Richard Baker is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in Tamworth 1784-95.
Lot 118
A silver cased verge pocket watch Signed for Edward Burgess, circa 1700 and later The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four tulip pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock decorated with an Ottoman mask at the apex and with conforming pierced foot flanked by silvered regulation disc within adjacent applied scroll pierced infill opposing engraved signature for Edward Burgis, London, fitted with a white enamel Roman numeral dial with Arabic five minutes to outer track and with steel beetle and poker hands, in a silver consular case with winding shutter to rear and suspension post (the dial and case probably mid 18th century replacements), the pillar plate 39mm (1.5ins) diameter, the case 52mm (2ins approx) diameter overall. Edward Burgess is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as marrying Patience Clement (sister of William Clement) in 1670. He apparently never gained his freedom of the Clockmakers' Company and appears to have taken apprentices through the Tallow Chandlers' Company (George Thomas in 1676, Matthias Child in 1680 and Theophilus Fisher in 1684). This would suggest that Burgess perhaps worked just outside the City (possibly Southwark) but was clearly held in high esteem by the Clockmakers' Company as they approached him to judge the clockmaking contest between Prevost and Threlkeld in 1699 - he declined the request. Loomes notes that Edward Burgess and his wife were still alive in 1713. Although the current lot appears English the positioning of the regulation disc to the left hand side of the movement backplate (when viewed with cock uppermost) would suggest that the current lot may be of Dutch workmanship. However the presence of a full signature would indicate that the movement was indeed finished by Burgess.
Lot 119
A George I pair-cased verge pocket watch William Kipling, London, circa 1720 The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four square Egyptian pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with decorated rim and grotesque mask at the junction of the conforming pierced broad foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied scroll pierced infill opposing signature Will. Kipling, London and serial number 621 , fitted with circular white enamel Roman numeral dial with Arabic five minute numerals to outer track and steel beetle and poker hands, the plain inner case fitted with convex glass and suspension post, the outer case covered in leather, the pillar plate 40mm (1.5ins approx.) diameter, the outer case 54mm (2.125ins approx.) diameter overall. William Kipling is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born in Romaldkirk, Yorkshire in 1680/1 and apprenticed through the Blacksmiths' Company to Thomas Johnson in September 1695. He is thought to have succeeded Johnson working from Ratcliffe Cross, London from circa 1705. Latterly William Kipling took his son, John (born 1722) into partnership until the latter's death in 1750, when the business was handed over to Charles Bosley. William is believed to have outlived his son by seven years dying in 1757.
Lot 120
An interesting George III silver pair-cased pocket watch William Frodsham, London, 1783 The gilt full plate single fusee movement with, four square baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block, verge escapement with rare jewelled crown wheel pivot and sprung three-arm balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine asymmetric foliate scroll pierced balance bridge fitted with screwed diamond endstone over silvered regulation disc within applied gilt infill incorporating signature W'm Frodsham, London and serial number 1175 engraved onto a scrolling banner within a matted field, the white enamel Roman numeral dial with repeat signature to centre, Arabic five minutes to outer track and later blued steel moon hands, the plain silver inner case fitted with convex glass, suspension post and marked for London 1783 maker EL , the outer case apparently unmarked with push-button clasp and engraved monogram dated 1796 to verso (both cases formerly gilt), the pillar plate 35mm (1.375ins approx.) diameter, the outer case 51 mm (2ins) diameter overall. William Frodsham senior is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as born 1728, free of the Clockmakers' Company in 1781 and died 1807. He worked from 12 Kingsgate Street, Red Lion Square, London and was appointed as one of the 'Experts' to assess Harrison's and Earnshaw's marine chronometers. He is thought to have probably been a journeyman to Justin Vulliamy and worked with his son, William junior (1755-1805), from circa 1779-1805 who is believed to have been taught the art of watch jewelling by his friend Thomas Earnshaw. This friendship lead to a conflict of interest when, in 1804, Frodsham was asked by the Board of Longitude to give evidence relating to a claim for a reward by Earnshaw subsequent to the latter's development of an improved design of detached escapement. The jewelled crown wheel pivot in the current lot is a particularly rare detail which possibly reflects the maker's specific interest in this practice (acquired from Thomas Earnshaw). In addition to this detail the general layout of the backplate (incorporating a balance bridge rather than a cock) is noteworthy in that it is reminiscent of the watch made for John Harrison by John Jefferys in 1752/3 (both seem to loosely echo 18th century Dutch practice in their use of a balance bridge and regulation disc placed over the fusee barrel). It would therefore seem plausible that the maker of the current lot may have been aware of Harrison's watch to the extent that he sought to replicate superficial details in the movement. This may have been done in order to differentiate it from 'standard' models perhaps due to the intention to add an 'improvement' - the jewelling to the crown wheel pivot. This sequence of possibilities is supported by fact that Harrison also resided in red Lion Square, literally just down the road from Frodsham.
Lot 161
A fine George III silver and tortoiseshell triple-cased oversized verge pocket watch or coach timepiece for the Middle Eastern market Ralph Gout, London, circa 1770 The gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four square Egyptian pillars incorporating elaborate pierced galleries pinned through the backplate, scroll pierced stop-iron block and sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine asymmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with decorated rim and seashell at the junction of the conforming pierced foot flanked by silvered regulation disc with adjacent applied scroll pierced infill opposing signature Ralph Gout, London and serial number 911 , the circular white enamel 'Turkish' numeral dial with repeat signature to centre, conforming five minute numerals to outer track and later steel hands, the plain inner case fitted with convex glass and suspension post and marked for London 1768 maker WB , the second case with conforming marks, push-button clasp and later shallow wriggle-work engraved decoration to exterior, the outer case covered in mottled red-stained shell with studded borders and secured with conforming push-button clasp, the pillar plate 60mm (2.375ins approx.) diameter, the outer case 91mm (2.625ins) diameter overall. Ralph Gout is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working 1770-1836. He is believed to have been of Swiss extraction and worked from 6 Norman Street, Old Street (1770-1800), 122 Birchin Lane (1815) and 122 Bunhill Row, Finsbury Square. In 1796 Gout was declared bankrupt which resulted in a sale of his stock in order to clear his debts; the sale included watches for the Spanish and Middle Eastern markets as well as 'pedometer watches' to Gout's own design. Evidently he was able to continue in business as several watches dating to after 1796 survive. The unusual large size of the current lot is noteworthy as is the general quality of finish which is of a better standard than seen on many examples made for export to the Middle East. This would suggest that it was generally made to impress or perhaps to specifically appeal to buyers who liked the proportions of larger coach watches.
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