SALOMON CHESNON, BLOIS | AN INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL SILVER PAIR CASED WATCH WITH CENTRAL ROTATING ARMORIAL DISC MARKING THE HOURCIRCA 1635

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, later flat four-arm balance, balance cock decoratively pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage, long foot, worm and wheel set-up lacking indication plate, fusee and gut line, vase-shaped pillars, signed Salomon Chesnon, à Blois• Dial: silver chapter ring with Roman numerals, half hour divisions between, central rotating disc engraved with the arms of the Paget family the tip of the armorial shield indicating the time, raised touch pin to the central disc for adjusting the time, gilded outer border• Cases: silver inner, the back engraved with scene possibly depicting Meleager and Atalanta, the shutter for the winding aperture incorporated into the engraving of the scene, decoratively engraved floral border, the band further engraved with hunting scenes depicting figures on horseback, hunting dogs chasing a deer and a dog and huntsman trapping a wild boar, bezel split for glass retention and engraved with flowers • outer case with elaborately engraved monogram to the centre, the border with five further roundels with stylised monograms interspersed by engraved flowers, the front bezel similarly engraved with flowers

Movement: not running - the gut line is detached. The brass wheel connecting to the worm is lacking the silver disc for set-up. There is a blank hole above the worm which would have held the indicator for the set-up disc. Dial: retains good definition with some light scuffs and scratches. Case: The engraved figures to the inner case and the hunting scenes are well executed and remain clear, there is some light rubbing and there are light scuffs and scratches, slight depression to the band, Bezel to inner case is very worn and distorted, signs of splitting to its middle right around the circumference and with signs of solder repair to the underside. Lacking glass. Decoration to outer case is very rubbed and worn with loss of definition, especially to the central monogram. Inner case slightly loose within the outer but they are well matched and the outer is warped.
"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 to the dial are those of the Paget family. William Paget, 5th Baron Paget (1609-1678) was born at Beaudesert House in Staffordshire. During the English civil war he served as a Parliamentarian but switched sides in 1642 to become a Royalist under King Charles I. In the 18th Century the family were created Earls of Uxbridge and, in the 19th century, the Maquesses of Anglesey. The monograms to the outer case suggest that the watch may have been a marriage gift. Salomon Chesnon's father (also named Salomon) was born in Blois in 1572 and died in 1639. In 1618, Marie de Medici bought a chiming table clock from Salmon Chesnon the elder for 800 livres. Salomon the younger (1607-1683) was also born in Blois and was apprenticed in 1625, he took over his father's business upon the latter's death in 1639 (see Tardy, Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français, vol.1, 1971, p.127).