AN EARLY ASTRONOMICAL AND EQUATION CLOCK MOVEMENT AND DIAL, JAC WILLMORE, MALINES, DATED 1711 |

13-inch square dial finely engraved with leaves and birds on each side centered by a bearded mask, the recessed center similarly engraved around a cartouche signed Jac:Willmore A Malines 1711, a sector above with a depiction of the state of the moon and an indication of the lunar date, the lower half with a grotesque mask enclosing the winding square with its mouth, the four corners with subsidiary dials engraved at the centers with an acanthus rosette indicating (lower left) date, (lower right) day of the week, (upper left) annual calendar with signs of the Zodiac, and (upper right) Dominical letter and solar cycle, on the outer band and on the inner band the epact (age of the moon on January 1st) and the Golden Number fixed hand lacking, the principal dial with 2 x twelve hour ring with concentric minute hand, the lower section partly covered by a silvered table inscribed Tabula Paschalis, the epacts are engraved across the top of the table and the Dominical letters down the left side; by consulting the dial on the top right of the main plate to determine the correct number and letter, the date of Easter, in March or April, for a particular year can be read off the table, the complicated double-ended hour hand with blued steel pointer and foliate engraved dial with annual calendar on the inner ring and Equation of time on the outer sector, silvered and blued steel counter-balance inscribed Tempus Medium with further pointer to be used when the principal end of the hour hand is concealed behind the Easter table, sunrise/sunset indicators mounted behind the chapter ring, the large fusee and chain movement with ring-turned pillars, anchor escapement, pull quarter repeating with three hammers on two bells and with separate rack striking mechanism in a sub-frame mounted on the backplate, with alterations and restorations; with a recent purpose-built wood case.

Collection Muller a Pau, July 1977
Galerie D'Horlogerie Ancienne, Geneva, 9th October 1977, lot 227
Time Museum Inventory no. 1354
Sotheby's Masterpieces of the Time Museum, New York, 19th June 2002, Lot 128
Private European Collection

PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS SHOULD INSPECT IN PERSON. Dial in good clean condition. Movement has had restoration and looks as though it would run but may benefit from fresh oil, fusee and barrel mounted on separate later plates and would appear to indicate that this was originally weight driven, some unexplained spare holes and additions that indicate that this movement evolved in the making. With oak case and seconds pendulum and two winders. N.B. The clock cannot be run whilst in the case as there is no provision for the pendulum.
"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."

This very rare and complicated clock is possibly the earliest clock to show automatically the difference between Solar Time and Mean Solar Time, making the setting of the clock by consulting a sundial relatively straightforward. No information has yet come to light regarding Jac Willmore but whether he was the maker or the designer of this astonishing clock, he must have been a very talented mathematician and horologist. Malines, in Belgium, was a prosperous and cultural city in the early 18th century and regarded as a centre for Arts and Science.  This is reflected in the manufacture of this complicated masterpiece.