Justin Vulliamy, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with foliage, a mask at the neck, diamond endstone, elaborately coiled serpent indicating to silver regulator plate, two polished steel hammers repeating on blocks secured to inside case back, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed and numbered Just. Vulliamy, London, OSO, plain gilt-metal dust cap 
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands
• Cases: gold inner, the back with engraved classical urn with dated monogram LS 1787, stirrup-form bow with chased leaf-form sides, pulse piece beneath bezel at 5 o'clock • gold outer case centred with cartouche engraved with the arms and motto of Frederick Irby, third Baron Boston, surrounded by engine-turned decoration with inset polished roundels, both bezels engraved with scrolls and foliage, both cases hallmarked 1788 and with maker's mark WQ incuse for William Quinton

Antiquorum Geneva, Professor Thomas Engel Collection, Part 1, 11th November 2001, lot 290

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 297, pl. 183

Movement not running at time of cataloguing but appears to be complete. Pendant will plunge and train engages for strike but is not currently repeating on the blocks. Inner case in good overall condition with minor depression to the band. Outer case also in good condition with clear decoration. Dial appears to be in good overall condition. The hands have been replaced since the Antiquorum auction in 2001 but are of the correct style.
"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."

The arms and motto to the case back are those of Frederick Irby, third Baron Boston who, for 50 years, was Lord of the Bedchamber to King George III. The repeating work is of the Stodgen-type and its action is ‘dumb’ half-quarter – repeating on blocks rather than a bell to the inside case back. Dumb repeating watches were increasingly fashionable during this period. Vulliamy has used the long-established design for the dial of five minute figures and minute ring, however, the addition of a single dot marks each half-quarter, with twin dots at the quarters. The design and high quality finish of the cock, with its grotesque mask at the neck, and the regulator plate with its serpent indicator, are typical of the maker’s work leading up to 1790.

For a note on Justin Vulliamy, see lot 35.