Thomas Tompion, No.325. A walnut month-going longcase clock, London, circa 1699

11-inch latched dial with double-screwed Indian mask and scroll spandrels divided by engraved leaves, the lower edge signed Tho: Tompion Londini Fecit, finely matted centre with seconds dial and date aperture, maintaining power lever at X, the movement with six ring-turned latched pillars, reversed five wheel trains, bolt and shutter maintaining power, outside count wheel striking on a bell, numbered on the lower edge of the backplate 325, the case with domed caddy cresting and giltwood ball finials, frieze frets, brass-capped hood pilasters, the long trunk door veneered with well figured wood of good colour, similarly numbered along the edge, the sides divided into panels,the plinth crossbanded and bordered with chevron banding,  

Matthey Collection No.5
Private English Collection

Dial; in generally very good condition, lacquering marked. Movement appears to retain the original wheelwork throughout, bolt and shutter maintaining power re-instated, would benefit from a clean and fresh oil. The case with some old restoration, horizontal cracks to top and bottom of trunk door, other minor cracks and old repairs, plinth has holes for original bun feet. With pendulum, two brass-cased weights, winder and case key.
"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.

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Thomas Tompion is regarded as the finest of English clockmakers He was born in Ickwell Green, Bedfordshire in 1639 and moved to London circa 1670. There he met Dr.Robert Hooke, the famous scientist, architect and mathematician who first mentions Tompion in his diaries in April 1674, the same month that he became Free of the Clockmakers' Company. Hooke brought him to the attention of Charles II who was an early horological enthusiast and Tompion supplied a spring watch to The King in 1675. Further highly important Royal and Noble commissions were to follow and in 1703 he became Master of the Clockmakers' Company. Tompion began his numbering system in the early 1680s and it was carried on after his death in 1713 by his business partner and fellow innovator George Graham. They are both buried in Westminster Abbey.

Tompion's earliest longcase clocks date to the 1670's and have many similarities to those produced by his contemporaries. These have been categorised as Type 1 and include those made before he introduced his numbering system and up to No.185, circa 1690. At this stage Tompion altered the design of his longcase clocks to produce a transitional clock known as Type 2. These are numbered between 189 and 294. By 1697 the design had been refined further into the fully developed Type 3 which continued to his death. This clock, No.325 is a fine example of the early Type 3 and of the craftsmanship for which Tompion is justifiably renowned.

An almost identical clock, No.333, is illustrated and described Jeremy Evans, Jonathan Carter & Ben Wright, Thomas Tompion 300 Years, 2012, p. 474-475