GERMAN, STAMPED CK | AN IMPORTANT AND MASSIVE EARLY GILT-BRASS HOUR STRIKING CLOCK WATCH WITH STACKFREED, ALARM AND ASTROLABIC DIALCIRCA 1575

• Movement: iron, verge escapement, brass barrels, dumb-bell foliot, hog's bristle regulator, brass count wheel, brass dial with alarm setting disc, brass contrate wheel, iron strackfreed mounted to the backplate with decoratively engraved and gilded cam, straight iron chamfered pillars, striking a bell to the inside case back, locking gate for striking decoratively pierced and engraved in the form of a half horse/half dragon, backplate stamped CK within a shield• Dial: gilded astrolabic dial, solar and lunar indicators, around the outside Roman numerals running twice in suceession 1-12 and 1-12 with touch pins above, the rete with months and date, within which are a selection of fixed named stars, the engraved plate beneath the rete calibrated for 50 degrees north, ecliptic with zodiac named and with degrees, at the centre a lunar indication showing age and phases of the moon and the very centre with aspectarium • Case: gilt-brass, the lid pierced and engraved with heart-form apertures, a grotesque mask at the centre, together with fantastical birds' heads, the case back similarly decorated with a half-figure in a suit of armour with helmet to the centre, surrounded by imaginary beasts including dragons' heads and birds' heads, all amongst scrolling foliage, the band pierced with stylised pillars and with bezels of geometrically engraved decoration above and below

Dial: in good condition Case: in good condition Movement: running at the time of cataloguing, strike mechanism operating but requires a clean and a service
"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."

During the 16th and 17th centuries, complex scientific instruments were highly desirable objects which alluded to their owner's status and education. Portable instruments were especially coveted and the combination of an astrolabic dial with a striking watch movement would have rendered the present lot a particularly important object for its 16th century owner. Although undoubtedly made in Germany, attributing this watch to an exact maker is difficult. Many early stackfreed watches were unsigned and others were simply stamped with the initials of the maker, not all of whom have been identified. The backplate of this watch is clearly stamped 'CK' within a shield and this mark does appear to be similar to one found on a watch from the Fränkel Collection which is now at the Horological Museum in Le Locle, Switzerland. The Fränkel watch, in addition to its CK stamp, has a stamp in the form of a horse which is the town mark of Stuttgart in Germany. Interestingly, the distinctive pillars to the case sides of the present lot are very similar to two watches in the British Museum, one of which exists as a case only, the other of which has an unsigned movement. The pillars of these two pieces are illustrated in H. Tait and P.G. Coole (revised by D. Thompson), Catalogue of Watches in the British Museum - I The Stackfreed, 1987, plate 45.