Henry Jones, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock, balance with spring, serpent indication to regulator scale, fusee and chain, tulip pillars, signed Henry Jones, London
• Dial: gold champlevé, Roman numerals, inner half hour divisions, outer Arabic minute ring, central spiral of leaves, blued steel tulip hour hand and tapered poker minute hand
• Cases: plain gold inner, the back with shuttered winding aperture, London hallmarks for 1690 and with maker's mark ID incuse for James Delander • outer case a contemporary replacement with monogram to the back, bezels with stylised leaf form decoration, hallmarked 1699 and with maker's mark incuse WI with coronet above for John Wightman

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 121, pl. 58

Movement running at time of cataloguing, winding and hand setting operational. Scratch numbered to the backplate: 608. Dial in good overall condition with a few light scuffs. Inner case with some slight depressions, signs of pendant repair to inside of case, inside case back scratch numbered 608. Decoration to outer case remains clear, some slight depressions. Hinges working well and covers 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."

This handsome watch has a wonderful champlevé dial with an attractive spiral of leaves embossed and chased to the centre. The blued steel hands are finely executed and the minute hand is relatively unusual with its tapered, straight sides of almost triangular section. Although not uncommon, the coiled serpent used to indicate upon the movement’s regulation disk is a charming feature.

Henry Jones (c.1642-1695) was an outstanding clock and watch maker who flourished during the last quarter of the 17th century. Born in Southampton, Jones moved to London and was briefly apprenticed to Benjamin Hill in 1654, before advantageously transferring to the workshop of Edward East. He obtained his freedom from the Clockmakers' Company in 1663 and served the company in a variety of capacities, becoming Master in 1691. After completing his apprenticeship, Jones continued to work with East until 1672, when he took premises in the City of London, off Fleet Street, in the area known as The Temple. It is clear that he took a keen interest in the introduction of the balance spring, an early example of which was included in “The Celebration of the English Watch Part I” (see: Sotheby’s London, 15^th December 2015, lot 23). Henry Jones died in 1695 and was buried at St. Dunstan in the West, Fleet Street, London.