Richard Baker, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, balance arms shaped to accommodate going train's winding square to extend through the decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock, balance spring, silver regulation disc and locking plate, fusee and chain, tulip and baluster pillars, pierced and engraved striking barrel and blued steel gate, striking the hours on a bell to the inside case back, signed Richard Baker, London
• Dial: gold champlevé, Roman numerals, inner half hour divisions, outer Arabic minute ring, centre with crown, lion and unicorn taken from the Royal Arms, two semi-circular banners signed Baker, London, tulip and poker blued steel hands
• Case: later single leather covered gilt-metal case, bezels front and back with decorative roundels to allow sound emission, shuttered winding apertures to back for going and striking trains

H. Marryat Collection, London

H. Marryat, Henlein to Tompion, 1938, p. 76
Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 122, pl. 59

Movement running and striking loud and clear at time of cataloguing. Bell scratch signed Drury, Dial in attractive overall condition retaining good definition, some scuffing, some small losses to the black pitch/wax infill. Outer case with some wear to the gilding and rubbing to the leather covering.
"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."

By the early 1690s, clockmakers were making a small number of well-finished and compact clock-watch mechanisms. The watch marks the passing of time by striking the hour on a bell in the same way as a clock. The crown to the dial is of the form used by William and Mary, rather than Queen Anne, which, together with the style of movement, would suggest a date of the 1690s.

Richard Baker was originally apprenticed to John Chatfield through the Blacksmiths’ Company before transferring, in June 1683, to the clockmaker Richard Browne. By redemption, Baker was made a Freeman of the Clockmakers’ in June 1685, on the order of the Lord Mayor. Richard Baker died in c. 1700, but his business was carried on by his widow until at least 1710 (see Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, p. 66). For another watch by Richard Baker, see Sotheby’s London, 16^th June 1975, lot 289.

Howard Marryat (1871-1944), a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, developed an extensive watch collection throughout his lifetime. He worked as an electrical engineer, and eventually became a prominent figure in the electrical and manufacturing industries. He partially owned a company called Marryat and Scott that produced lifts and other electrical equipment, and headed the company for a little over 50 years. Marryat also wrote several books, most notably, Watches, From Henlein to Tompion, published in 1938. He developed a great interest in historic watches and the craftsmanship of their movements. His collection included pieces from John Arnold, Robert Pennington, and Jeremy East, along with many others. He completed the revision of the catalogue of watches in the Guildhall Museum, after which he became a Freeman of the City of London. His son Robert
(1910-1996) inherited his collection, and eventually became acquainted with the famed watchmaker, George Daniels.  Daniels later married Robert’s daughter, Juliet in 1964.