Robert Whitwell

• gilt full plate movement with early four wheel train, verge escapement, worm and wheel set-up, gut line fusee, balance cock pierced and engraved with floral decoration, Egyptian pillars • silver dial with central disk engraved with Eros atop an hourglass holding an arrow indicating the hours upon an inner track, central blued steel decoratively turned minute hand, hours marked by Roman numerals, outer minute track with Arabic numerals, outermost silver date ring with small indicator on gilt ring beneath • plain polished silver case, covered winding aperture to rear • movement signed Robert Whitwell Fecit

The collection of Charles Shapland, 1894

 H. Marryat Collection

G.H. Baillie, C. Clutton, C.A. Ilbert, Britten's Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers, Third edition, pp. 180-181

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 87, pl. 40

Marryat, Henlein to Tompion, 1938, pp. 64-65, fig H1

Movement will run when wound at the time of cataloguing. Dial with scratches and scuffs, some loss of wax to outer edge of date ring. Case polished with minor scuffs and scratches, small indentation to the band.
"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."

Due to the inaccuracy of early watches, relatively few were made with minute hands prior to the introduction of the balance spring. Watches before the 18th Century had a variety of different dials that incorporated minutes and hours.  Makers often attempted to display an accurate time using only one indicator, and created dials such as the differential dial, the six-hour dial, or the wandering-hour dial.  After 1700, dials became much more standardized.  Many of the watches with wandering-hour dials had some mark of royalty on them, such as a portrait or an engraving of the royal arms.  

The glass is held by a split bezel, which makes this is a reasonably early example of this method of retention.

Robert Whitwell was apprenticed to Robert Grinkin (see lot 7) in June 1642 and was a Freeman of the Clockmakers' Company in 1649. He lost his premises in the Great Fire of 1666 and was given ten shillings charity by the Clockmakers' Company for 'relief in his sickness' in 1673/74. He was dead by 1678. See, Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, 1981, pp. 576-677

For a footnote on H. Marryat, see lot 15.