Daniel Fletcher, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and floral engraved screwed-on balance cock and foot, worm and wheel set-up, fusee and gut line, Egyptian pillars • movement signed Daniel Fletcher Londini
• Dial: gilded, silver disc with decoratively pierced centre surrounded by chapter ring with Roman numerals and quarter hour divisions, gilt annular carrying a pointer indicating the
date on the outer silver ring, blued steel floriate hand
• Case: plain polished inner case, shuttered winding aperture to back • outer leather covered protective case with decorative silver piqué work

Cecil Clutton, London

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 91, pl. 43 
Clutton, C and Daniels, G., Watches, Second Edition, 1971, pl. 152-154, 1979 edition pl. 87a-c

Movement running at time of cataloguing. Dial in good refreshed condition. Silver inner case with small split below the pendant and some light denting to the band, some signs of repair to the inside of the case back, shutter to winding aperture appears to be a replacement. Leather outer case in generally good condition with some light rubbing to the leather. Pin work in good condition, one pin close to the pendant is slightly bent upwards.
"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 watch was at one time in the collection of Cecil Clutton and is illustrated in his book “Watches”, which he wrote with George Daniels (see op. cit. 1965, pl. 152-154, Acknowledgments pp. ix-x). George Daniels work book indicates that the watch (owned by Clutton) came into his workshop for a clean & repair in August 1962.

Daniel Fletcher was born in circa 1619 and apprenticed to Thomas Reeve from August 1632 until 1640. He became Free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1646 and died before 1653 (see: Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, 1981, p. 227). Following Fletcher’s death, his widow continued the business and their son, also called Daniel, was bound as an apprentice by William Godbed on behalf of his mother in 1664.

A watch by William Godbed, also known as Guiliemus Godbed was in Sotheby’s, Celebration of the English Watch Part I sale, 15th December, 2015, lot 15.