George Graham, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and floral engraved balance cock with classical female head at the neck, flat three-arm balance with spring, fusee and chain, Egyptian pillars, signed and numbered Geo. Graham, London, 4580
• 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, aperture for date above 6 o'clock, banners to the dial centre surrounded by floral swags and signed Graham, London
• Cases: plain gold inner case, the back with shuttered winding aperture, stirrup pendant and bow, rubbed hallmarks for London 1713 or 1714, maker's mark WS incuse for William Sherwood • plain outer case with maker's mark IW incuse probably for John Willoughby 

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 162-163, pl. 87

Movement not running at time of cataloguing but appears to be complete and is in clean condition, the date is advancing correctly. Dial in very good refreshed condition. Hallmarks to both cases are very rubbed. The inner case with light indentations and signs of repair to the inside for the pendant and the winding aperture. The outer case with light indentations and solder repairs to the inner edge of the rim to the outer back.
"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."

As Thomas Tompion’s partner and successor, George Graham continued their watch numbering series when the former died in 1713. Research suggests that the present watch may be the earliest surviving Graham watch that is hallmarked and remains complete, although a repeating watch (no. 402) which is also hallmarked 1713 is recorded.

Following Tompion’s death, Graham continued the exceptional standards of watchmaking that he and his former partner had established. As this watch demonstrates, Graham also employed an excellent dial engraver and continued to use William Sherwood, whom Tompion had engaged from the late 1690s, for some of his cases.