Mathieu Des hais, London

• gilt full plate verge movement, flat steel balance with spring, pierced balance cock finely engraved with a grotesque mask at the neck, an angel's head, squirrels, and a bird among scrolling acanthus leaves, tulip pillars, fusee and chain • silver champlevé dial decorated with a grotesque head and maker’s signature framed within an upper cartouche, left hand aperture displaying the date, right hand aperture displaying a fixed radiant sun, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute track, blued steel tulip and poker hands • plain inner and outer case, inner case with case maker’s mark GN for George Nau and numbered 254, outer case marked BI possibly for Benjamin Jeffes • movement signed Mathieu Des hais London, 254 and 57

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, p. 74 pl. 66.

Movement will run when wound at the time of cataloguing. Dial in generally good condition with minor scuffs throughout and some slight cracking and loss to wax within the Roman numerals. Inner case shows some indentation to the band. Outer case has minor scuffs and indentations with some tarnishing. Overall good condition.
"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.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Very little is known of  Mathieu Des hais of London, Baillie records a watch made by him, whilst Britten records a bracket clock.  Clearly, as demonstrated by the present lot, he was a maker of the highest order. A special feature of this watch and another by Des hais, numbered 79 (see, Camerer Cuss, The English Watch, p.110) is that both ends of the balance spring are secured, not by the normal circular pin and hole, but the superior method of square tapered pins in square holes. Interestingly, Jeremy Evans writes of the Des hais watch no.79, in his book Thomas Tompion at the Dial and Three Crowns (2006, p.117) noting “it displays workmanship closely comparable to Tompion’s style.” It is also interesting to note that the tulip hour and the minute hand on the present watch are almost identical to Tompion’s work of this period.