Important Watches

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 2305. “Festina Lente” | A yellow gold minute repeating perpetual calendar single button chronograph half-hunting case keyless lever watch with moon phases, leap year indication and the Coat of Arms are that of Allsopp with a cadency mark of a fleur-de-lis for the 6th son, The Hon. Alfred Percy Allsopp (1861-1929), Circa 1888.

Charles Frodsham, London

“Festina Lente” | A yellow gold minute repeating perpetual calendar single button chronograph half-hunting case keyless lever watch with moon phases, leap year indication and the Coat of Arms are that of Allsopp with a cadency mark of a fleur-de-lis for the 6th son, The Hon. Alfred Percy Allsopp (1861-1929), Circa 1888

Session begins in

September 18, 03:00 AM GMT

Estimate

1,000,000 - 2,000,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

Charles Frodsham, London

“Festina Lente”

A yellow gold minute repeating perpetual calendar single button chronograph half-hunting case keyless lever watch with moon phases, leap year indication and the Coat of Arms are that of Allsopp with a cadency mark of a fleur-de-lis for the 6th son, The Hon. Alfred Percy Allsopp (1861-1929), Circa 1888

Dial: enamel, radial Roman numerals

Calibre: Nicole Nielsen & Comp. three-quarter plate mechanical repeating on gongs, English lever escapement, gold screw compensation balance, blued hairspring, index spring fine adjusting device, chatoned sapphire endstone on lever and escape wheel, chatoned diamond endstone on the balance, engraved 84 Strand London, By Appointment to the Queen, "AD.Fmsz"

Movement number: 07'597

Case: 18k yellow gold, half-hunting case, stepped bezel, gold cuvette, enamelled family crest with motto “Festina Lente”, case maker punch mark "HMF" (Harrison Miles Frodsham)

Case number: 07'597

Size: 54 mm diameter

Signed: case and cuvette stamped HMF; movement signed Charles Frodsham

Accessories: none

Manufactured to Charles Frodsham’s highest standards, the present watch is from late Victorian complicated watchmaking. It features a Nicole Nielsen & Co. movement combining minute repeating, perpetual calendar, moon phase, and chronograph functions with a 60-minute register, all housed within an impressive 18k yellow gold half-hunting case.

Further distinguished by its finely enamelled Allsopp family coat of arms, bearing the motto Festina Lente ("make haste slowly"), the watch is attributable to The Hon. Alfred Percy Allsopp (1861-1929) through the fleur-de-lis cadency mark denoting a sixth son. The youngest son of Henry Allsopp, 1st Baron Hindlip, Alfred Percy Allsopp was a prominent English businessman, Member of Parliament for Taunton, and three-time Mayor of Worcester. The watch exemplifies the remarkable level of craftsmanship and technical sophistication achieved by the leading English watchmakers of the period.

We would like to thank Charles Frodsham & Co. for kindly providing archival information relating to the present watch.

Charles Frodsham 倫敦

“Festina Lente”

黃金三問、萬年曆及單按鈕計時半獵殼懷錶，備月相、閏年顯示及 Allsopp 家族徽章，徽章上飾有代表第六子的百合花飾，屬於 The Hon. Alfred Percy Allsopp（1861–1929），約1888年製

Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense.

Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band.

Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.

"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."