John Knibb, Oxford

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with a bird of paradise amongst scrolling foliage, flat balance with spring, silver regulator disc, fusee and chain, tulip pillars, signed John Knibb att Oxon
• Dial: silver champlevé dial, Roman numerals with half hour divisions between and to the ring beneath, outer Arabic minute ring with further gilt ring above, rosette to the centre, blued steel tulip and poker hands
• Cases: plain silver inner case, the back with shuttered winding aperture, ring pendant and bow, split bezel for glass retention, case maker's mark SB (Samuel Bowtell) and numbered 56 • outer case with under-painted tortoiseshell inlaid with silver stems, leaves, rondels and engraved silver flowers, birds and possibly vine leaves

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 117, pl. 54

The movement appears to be in good clean condition and is running at the time of cataloguing. Dial in refreshed condition with light scuffs to the ground. Minor light depresssion to the band of the inner case. Cracks to the tortoiseshell, mainly to the bezel.
"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."

John Knibb (b.1650-d.1722) was apprenticed to his brother Joseph in Oxford from about 1664, became active on his own behalf by 1675 and made mayor of Oxford twice. A famous clockmaker, John appears to have made very few watches and the present piece must be one of his earliest. The movement has an early balance spring and the foot of the cock is of an early form without border. Samuel Bowtell, whose mark is found in the inner case, was free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1681 and his mark appears on the Goldsmiths’ Company registration plate of 1682.

The under-painting to the tortoiseshell of the outer case enhances its natural features and the tortoiseshell is glued and pinned to the case in the traditional manner. Within this outer case is a rare paper table headed December XXXI, showing the saints’ days, the dates for the four states of the moon and the equation of time for the month.