A rare German mahogany regulator wall timepiece in the manner of Johann Heinrich Seyffert circa 1800

16-cm engraved dial with finely engraved ormolu bezel, outer ring calibrated for minutes enclosing subsidiaries for seconds and hours, blued hands, endless rope weight driven movement with unusual pinwheel escapement with adjustable arms, suspended from a hook mounted at the backboard, adjusting screws to the backplate, heavy steel suspended pendulum with beat adjustment to the crutch and heavy brass bob, rectangular moulded mahogany case with glazed front and sides terminating in a flat moulded base

dial tarnished and silvering partly rubbed, hands in good condition, movement able to function (might benefit from a clean), movement mounted a little bit unlogical on a mahogany block but mask is original to the hood, fits very well, one unidentified hole under the block, not centrally, so possibly from fixing the case to the wall, unlikely possibility movement and case associated, case in original condition, rich colour, a little dirty, together with two weights and a 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.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
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."

Johann Gottfried Köhler who was an astronomer, meteorologist and clockmaker started a time service in the Palace at Dresden in 1784 after he had devised a technique for recording the passage of the 'time stars'. With this he founded a center for timekeeping, mathematics and physics. Johann Heinrich Seyffert, a friend of Köhler who died in 1801, succeeded him as the administrator of this Mathematics and Physics salon. He is known to have made a reasonable number of regulators before he died in 1817. Roberts places this present lot in the circle of Seyffert who was one of the founders of the precision timekeeping tradition later to be continued by Lange, Gutkaes and Strasser & Rohde.  Derek Roberts, Precision Pendulum Clocks, France, Germany, America and recent advancements, pp.115-116, illustrated p.180.