George Graham, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock with a head at the neck, balance staff with diamond endstones to top and
bottom, fusee and chain, Egyptian pillars, signed Geo. Graham, London, 5227, signed gilt metal dust cap with secret catch
• Dial: gold champlevé, Roman numerals with inner half hour divisions, outer Arabic minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands, the minute hand stepped to clear the winding square
• Case: gold case, the back with the crest of an eagle above a monogram, numbered 5227 and with maker’s mark WS for William Sherwood (possibly junior)

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 184, pl. 98

Movement running and in clean condition. Dial in good refreshed condition. Case with some light scuffs and some minor depressions.
"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."

George Graham is credited with developing the cylinder escapement in 1726. Although he did not formally protect his ‘invention’, in this very early example of his cylinder escapement, Graham clearly attempts to restrict access to the mechanism; the dust cap can only be removed to reveal the movement when a secret catch is activated via a pin hole to the edge of the cap. Graham has advantageously fitted this movement with a diamond endstone to the top and bottom of the balance staff, the escape wheel is brass and the cylinder steel.

George Graham (c.1673-1751), is one of England’s most renowned clock and watchmakers. He was apprenticed in 1688 to Henry Aske and, when freed in 1695, appears almost immediately to have entered the service of Thomas Tompion.  He married one of Tompion’s nieces in 1704 and became his partner in c.1711, succeeding to the business upon Tompion’s death in 1713. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1721 and Master of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1722. Graham died in 1751 and, as a sign of the great respect in which he was held, Tompion’s grave in Westminster Abbey was
opened to receive the body of his former partner.