Richard Bowen

• gilt full plate movement, screwed-on florally decorated pierced balance cock, plain steel balance, worm and wheel set-up, Egyptian pillars • concentric astronomical gilt and silver dial indicating months and number of days in the month, date, hours, age of the moon, twice times twelve hours and moon-phases within a fixed night sky • silver inner case and silver outer case, back centred by an engraving of Charles I in prayer based on the engraving by William Marshall (1617 - 1649), large flower heads framing the scene and to the bezel • movement signed Richard Bowen Londini Fecit

Christie's, Ralph Bernal Collection, 5th March, 1855, lot 3920

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, pp. 82-83, pl. 37

Baillie, Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers, Fifth edition, 1922, p. 650

movement in working order, and beautifully executed, marginal wear to dial but on the whole in well preserved condition the inner case engraving well preserved and with good definition outer case engraving- Charles I is rubbed at the center of his robe, the surrounding engraving fairly well preserved, the engraving on the bezels has not suffered the same wear and still well defined. Overall a Superb piece horologically and historically
"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."

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Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Richard Bowen (c.1636-1677) was apprenticed to Robert Smith in 1650 and was free of the Clockmakers' Company in 1657. The engraving on the outer case is a faithful rendering of a scene after William Marshall (1617-1649), produced immediately following Charles I’s execution in 1649. It was used for a frontispiece of Eikon Basilike published the same year.  The Eikon Basilike contains a combination of prayers and contemplations, supposedly by Charles I right before his death.  The book portrays him as a martyred, pious  king, and was published shortly after his beheading.  It is most likely the engraving was done about the same time as the watch was made or soon after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and before Bowen's premises were burnt down during the Great Fire in 1666. Certainly the large flower heads framing the scene are commensurate with this period. On the back of the inner case a young man in doublet and hose listens to a figure in a heavenly cloud whose words are engraved within a ribbon - 'And what I sai to you, I sai to all, watch' - suggesting Charles II being encouraged by his father. One imagines this may have been some sort of rallying cry for royalists during the Civil War - they should watch, not lose heart, and be ready! In any event, double meanings in general and the guardedness that they afforded had, no doubt, been especially popular and continued to be so.

This lot was part of the extensive collection formed by Ralph Bernal which Christie's dispersed in March 1855 (lot 3920). The catalogue noted 'This watch is said to have been given by Charles I to Colonel Hammond, at Carisbrooke' - clearly a case of nineteenth century romanticism. Eikon Basilike proved very popular; it was reprinted many times and republished even in the 18th century. See, Camerer Cuss, The English Watch, 1585-1970, p. 82.