William Carpenter, London

• Movement: gilded full-plate engraved with flowers and scrolling foliage, verge escapement, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed and numbered Wm. Carpenter, London, 4643
• Dial: white enamel, aperture for paste-set visible balance, 6 subsidiary dials for hours with Roman numerals, minutes, seconds, jumping 1/4 seconds, regulation and moon-age combined with phases
• Cases: gilt-metal inner case, the back with winding aperture, case maker's mark FM (possibly PM) with coronet above incuse • gilded outer case, the back with polychrome enamel painted scene after Angelika Kauffman's painting of 'Beauty supported by Prudence, Scorns the Offering of Folly', bezels engraved with leaves and flowers

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 294-295, pl. 181

Movement not running at time of cataloguing but appears to be complete. Dial appears to be in good overall condition, some chipping to edge of central aperture. Gilding to inner case very rubbed. The enamel scene to the outer case back with scratches throughout and cracks and some chips to the lower left third.
"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."

A sophisticated timepiece, this watch was designed to be visually arresting with its complex dial showing the movement of its paste-set balance, seconds and jumping quarter seconds all at once. The decorative nature of the watch continues to the case back where the polychrome enamel painted panel is decorated with a classical scene of three maidens, the one in the centre in a white dress suggesting purity, resisting temptations being offered: on her right a garland of grapes, for wine, on her left a mirror, for vanity. Symbols associated with Bacchus including a thyrsus and possibly a snake are on the ground. Jumping quarter seconds are rare yet, when found, are usually seen on watches destined for the Eastern markets. Examples of Clocks and Watches by William Carpenter can be found at the Palace Museum, Beijing. For two similar watches by William Carpenter, see Antiquorum Geneva, 10^th November 2013, lots 377 & 378.