Lot 21
  • 21

George Graham, London

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • AN UNUSUAL AND EARLY GOLD SINGLE CASED DUMB QUARTER REPEATING CYLINDER WATCH OF SMALL SIZE1730, NO. 603
  • Yellow gold
  • diameter 47.5 mm
Movement: gilded full plate, cylinder escapement with steel wheel, balance cock pierced and engraved with foliate scrolls and a mask at the neck, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, the hammers striking the inside of the gilt metal dust cap, dust cap signed Geo. Graham, London and scratch numbered beneath 603 • movement signed George Graham, London no. 603
Dial: restored white enamel, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands, winding through the dial
Case: gold single case, the back centred with a large decorative intertwined and reversed monogram EJW within a circular border, signed ram F, pulse piece to bezel at 5 o’clock, case with London hallmarks for 1730, maker’s mark IW incuse beneath a star for John Ward and numbered 603

Provenance

Sotheby’s, The Henry Nyburg Collection, 22nd May 1967, lot 41

Condition

Movement running at time of cataloguing, repeating work not currently activating. Restored white enamel dial. Case with light scuffs, small hole and split near to the case opening of the bezel.
"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."

Catalogue Note

There remains some uncertainty as to when the first dumb quarter repeating watch was made. This watch clearly predates Julien Le Roy’s claim for priority of the invention and
is certainly an early example of this form of repeating work.  As there is no provision in the numbered case for a bell, it is apparent that this is not a later modification.

For a note on George Graham, see lot 19.