JOSEPH BOCKH, LINZ | AN ASTRONOMICAL VERGE WATCH IN LATER INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL SILVER AND GOLD CELESTIAL SPHERE-FORM CASEMOVEMENT CIRCA 1720, CASE LATE 19TH CENTURY

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, broad decoratively pierced balance cock and foot engraved with scrolling foliage, plain flat balance with spring, silver regulation disc, pierced tulip pillars, fusee and chain, signed Joseph Bockh, Linz• Dial: gilded, the ground engraved with foliage, three silver chapter rings for date (lacking hand), time with arrow-tipped hand and moon age indicated via a blued steel hand and with blued steel disc beneath heightened with a gold moon and stars, three further apertures for days of the week with corresponding planet, month with engraved seasonal vignettes and periods of the day with the changing sky• Case: silver case modelled in the form of a celestial sphere with applied pink gold figural representations of the constellations engraved with their names, swivelling open from the pendant, the band with applied pink gold symbols of the zodiac, removable bayonet fitted silver bezel with engraved crescent and full moons interspersed by applied pink gold boss and star motifs, cover signed Cochin on a gold crescent moon• Accompaniments: leather covered horseshoe shaped box with gold tooling, red velvet fitted interior

Christie's Geneva, 26 April 1976, lot 171
Time Museum, Rockford Illinois, Inventory no. 1250
Sotheby's New York, Masterpieces from the Time Museum Part II, 19 June 2002, lot 57 

Movement: running at time of cataloguing, a little dirty and with small marks and scratches to the plates. Dial: with small marks and scratches throughout. The date hand is lacking and there is a small depression to the chapter ring for date at the 22 position. Blued steel disc is rather worn and the stars are faded. Case: with tarnishing and oxidation, one screw for the bayonet fixture of the bezel is a little loose.
"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."

Joseph Bockh is listed by Loomes in Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World as active in Linz around 1720.