- 39
Thomas Wright and Thomas Earnshaw, London
Estimate
250,000 - 300,000 GBP
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Description
- AN IMPORTANT GOLD PAIR CASED POCKET CHRONOMETER WITH EARNSHAW'S SPRING DETENT ESCAPEMENT ACCORDING TO WRIGHT'S PATENT1784, NO. 2228
- gold, gilt metal
- diameter 63 mm
• Movement: gilt full plate movement, Earnshaw’s spring detent escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock engraved Wright Watch Maker to the King and with Royal coronet to the neck, large diamond endstone, wheel train fully jewelled to and including fusee, balance with cut bi-metallic rims, each with semi-circular steel weights, small impulse roller • gilt-metal dust cap • movement signed John Wright in the Poultry, movement numbered 2228
• Dial: white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds, gold hands with diamond-shaped tips • dial signed Thomas Wright in the Poultry
• Case: plain gold cases with London hallmarks for 1784 and with maker’s mark IW for John Wright, stop/start lever beneath bezel between 3 and 4 o’clock to activate whip on the balance, outer case with concealed hinge and catch
• Dial: white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds, gold hands with diamond-shaped tips • dial signed Thomas Wright in the Poultry
• Case: plain gold cases with London hallmarks for 1784 and with maker’s mark IW for John Wright, stop/start lever beneath bezel between 3 and 4 o’clock to activate whip on the balance, outer case with concealed hinge and catch
Provenance
Bobinet Ltd., London
Asprey & Co., London
David Landes Collection, Boston
Literature
Terrence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch, 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 284-285, pl. 174
Dava Sobel and William J.H. Andrewes, The Illustrated Longitude, 1995, p. 193
Anthony G. Randall, The Time Museum Catalogue of Chronometers, 1992, p. 144
Hans von Bertele, Marine and Pocket Chronometers, 1991, p. 125, pl. 96a & 96b
Andrew Crisford, "Thomas Wright in the Poultry, London no. 2228" Antiquarian Horology, vol IX, issue 7, 1976, pp. 785-788, fig. 5
Cecil Clutton and George Daniels, Watches, Second edition, 1972, pp. 51, 58 164a, b
Condition
Movement running and appears to be in good condition. Dial also appears in good condition. Inner case with minor depression to the band, light scuffs. Outer case with some minor depressions and light scuffs. Cases close securely.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
Catalogue Note
Thomas Earnshaw claimed to have invented the spring detent escapement in 1781, after he discovered inherent issues with the oiled pivots of the pivoted detent escapement. Previously collaborating with Brockbanks in the construction of chronometers with the pivoted detent escapement, Earnshaw and Brockbanks had a disagreement and Earnshaw approached Thomas Wright with the designs of his new
escapement. At the time, Thomas Wright was watchmaker to King George III, and as Earnshaw lacked funds to apply for the one hundred guinea patent for his invention. The pair entered an agreement whereby Wright would apply and pay for the patent in his name. Earnshaw would then make movements for any other watchmakers who ordered them, adding a one guinea fee payable to Wright to cover the patent cost. The patent, no. 1354, was filed in 1783. Earnshaw listed names of makers for whom watches were made under this agreement and these included: Barraud, Frodsham, Margetts and Vuillamy. For a discussion on Earnshaw’s patent also see Rupert T. Gould, The Marine Chronometer, Chapter VIII, pp. 189-193.
The present watch made by Earnshaw for the patentee is the only one recorded with the spring detent and according to the patent that is signed by Wright. Unlike later versions of the escapement, the spring detent has a single spring for locking and unlocking, exactly as shown in the original patent drawing. In addition to the hallmark date of the watch’s case, there is additional evidence to date the watch, discovered by Andrew Crisford upon his examination of the watch for his detailed and illustrated article on the present watch for Antiquarian Horology (No. 7, Vol. 9 June 1976). Crisford noted that the underside of the dial plate is scratch signed P x P Sept. 18th
1784, interestingly this is almost certainly the same signature of the watch finisher of a cylinder watch by Wright in the British Museum, No. 2679 which is signed P. Pine, Finish, 1786.
The finish of the movement is exceptional and the wheel train is fully jewelled to and including the fusee, one of the earliest movements so made. Indeed, the movement’s finish is so superior that as Crisford noted in his aforementioned article, even “the screw head against which the detent banks is sapphire faced”. The small impulse roller is original, which is especially notable since most, if not all the other early rollers were changed for a larger, safer one by Earnshaw. The adjustable unlocking roller is ingenious, consisting of a dovetailed slide with fixed cylindrical unlocking jewel advanced by the screw head – remarkably, the entire assembly measures just 3.3 mm. It is also important to note the compensated balance as, in 1784, Earnshaw claimed to have invented the compensated balance made of fused brass and steel which was to become the standard compensation balance used in almost every precision watch for the next
hundred years – the balance in the present watch certainly appears to substantiate Earnshaw’s claim.
escapement. At the time, Thomas Wright was watchmaker to King George III, and as Earnshaw lacked funds to apply for the one hundred guinea patent for his invention. The pair entered an agreement whereby Wright would apply and pay for the patent in his name. Earnshaw would then make movements for any other watchmakers who ordered them, adding a one guinea fee payable to Wright to cover the patent cost. The patent, no. 1354, was filed in 1783. Earnshaw listed names of makers for whom watches were made under this agreement and these included: Barraud, Frodsham, Margetts and Vuillamy. For a discussion on Earnshaw’s patent also see Rupert T. Gould, The Marine Chronometer, Chapter VIII, pp. 189-193.
The present watch made by Earnshaw for the patentee is the only one recorded with the spring detent and according to the patent that is signed by Wright. Unlike later versions of the escapement, the spring detent has a single spring for locking and unlocking, exactly as shown in the original patent drawing. In addition to the hallmark date of the watch’s case, there is additional evidence to date the watch, discovered by Andrew Crisford upon his examination of the watch for his detailed and illustrated article on the present watch for Antiquarian Horology (No. 7, Vol. 9 June 1976). Crisford noted that the underside of the dial plate is scratch signed P x P Sept. 18th
1784, interestingly this is almost certainly the same signature of the watch finisher of a cylinder watch by Wright in the British Museum, No. 2679 which is signed P. Pine, Finish, 1786.
The finish of the movement is exceptional and the wheel train is fully jewelled to and including the fusee, one of the earliest movements so made. Indeed, the movement’s finish is so superior that as Crisford noted in his aforementioned article, even “the screw head against which the detent banks is sapphire faced”. The small impulse roller is original, which is especially notable since most, if not all the other early rollers were changed for a larger, safer one by Earnshaw. The adjustable unlocking roller is ingenious, consisting of a dovetailed slide with fixed cylindrical unlocking jewel advanced by the screw head – remarkably, the entire assembly measures just 3.3 mm. It is also important to note the compensated balance as, in 1784, Earnshaw claimed to have invented the compensated balance made of fused brass and steel which was to become the standard compensation balance used in almost every precision watch for the next
hundred years – the balance in the present watch certainly appears to substantiate Earnshaw’s claim.