Thomas Tompion

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock, steel three-arm balance and hairspring, silver regulator plate, fusee and chain, Egyptian and round baluster pillars, screw-set gilt-metal dust ring, repeating with two polished steel hammers to a bell within the case • signed and numbered Tho. Tompion, London, 328
• Dial: gold champlevé, Roman numerals with half hour divisions between and to the ring beneath, outer Arabic minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands, cartouches to the dial centre, the upper having putti holding garlands of flowers, signed Tompion, London
• Case: later gilt-metal and shagreen mounted single case, the back with pierced roundels for sound emission to the band, bezel with decorative pin work

With a short chain and crank key

Sotheby & Co, London, July 16 1959, lot 39
Sotheby & Co, London Samuel Tonkin Collection, 13 November 1967, lot 18   

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 150-151, pl. 78
Jeremy Evans, Thomas Tompion at the Dial and Three Crowns, 2006, p. 104
Jeremy Evans, Jonathan Carter & Ben Wright, Thomas Tompion 300 Years, 2013, p. 591

Movement running at time of cataloguing but repeating work just operational but very sluggish. Some deep knurling, denting and scratching to the movement top plate at 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock. Dial in refreshed condition with light scuffs and scratches. The bell scratch dated: Dwerrihouse June 13, 1786, Sept 14th 1787, August 5 1788, March 19, 1792. Dial in refreshed condition with some slight losses to black wax/pitch infill. Some splits and repairs to shagreen covering, rubbing to gilding.
"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."

The dial of this watch is secured to the top plate via a secret catch whilst the backplate is slightly smaller than usual, which has resulted in Tompion’s signature being executed all on one line with the number preceding it under the banking piece, rather than following the signature as one more usually finds. The gold champlevé dial is typical of Tompion’s work with the signature flanked by putti holding garlands of flowers.