Thomas Tompion & Edward Banger

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, pierced and engraved balance cock decorated with scrolling foliage and a bird with outstretched wings, a winged mask to the base, flat steel three-arm balance with spring, fusee and chain, Egyptian pillars, signed T. Tompion, E. Banger, London No. 3842
• Dial: silver champlevé, Roman numerals with half hour divisions between and to the ring beneath, outer Arabic minute ring, blued steel tulip and poker hands, outer gilded ring, cartouches to the dial centre, the upper having putti holding garlands of flowers, signed Tompion, Banger, London
• Case: plain silver inner case, split bezel for glass retention, the back with shuttered winding aperture, stirrup bow and pendant • plain outer case with square hinge, the bezel with inner chamfer • both cases with maker's mark WS with coronet above for William Sherwood senior, both cases numbered 3842

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 139, pl. 70
Jeremy Evans, Thomas Tompion at the Dial and Three Crowns, 2006, p. 92
Jeremy Evans, Jonathan Carter & Ben Wright, Thomas Tompion 300 Years, 2013, p. 585

Movement running and appears to be in good clean condition at time of cataloguing. Dial in clean refreshed condition. Inner case with light scuffs and some minor depressions. Outer case with light marks and scuffs. Case covers close securely.
"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."

Towards the end of the 17^th century, Tompion was employing several apprentices, the most famous of whom was Edward Banger who had been ‘turned over’ to Tompion from Joseph Ashby in 1687. Banger married Tompion’s niece Margaret Kent in 1694 and became Free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1695. He formed a partnership with Tompion in 1701 and the clocks and watches made during this partnership are amongst the finest produced by the workshop, with great attention to detail and fine finishing. Some years later a serious quarrel appears to have taken place and after about 1708, Tompion and Banger ceased to collaborate. Whatever the reason, Tompion must have felt strongly about it as the clocks signed Tompion and Banger that remained unfinished in the workshop had the name Banger erased from the dials before they were sold.