Ellicott, London

• Movement: gilded full plate movement, cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced and floral engraved balance cock, flat three-arm balance, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, gilt-metal dust cap, movement and dust cap signed and numbered Ellicott, London 5152    
•  Dial: white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands
• Cases: plain gold inner, the back with aperture for winding, stirrup pendant and bow, hallmarked 1763 and numbered 5151 with maker's mark HT incuse probably for either Henry Cleaver Taylor or Henry Teague • gold outer repoussé case, the back with chased and engraved radiating flower, the front bezel with flowers and scrolls

S. E. Prestige Collection, Sotheby's London, 29th April 1968, lot 19

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 220, pl. 130
Richard Edgcumbe, The Art of the Gold Chaser, 2000, p. 131

The watch in lovely overall condition. Movement running and appears to be in good clean condition. Dial in good condition. Both cases also in good condition with clear definition to the repousse decoration, hinges tight and covers closing flush and securely. The consecutive numbering of movement and case is almost certainly an original workshop error.
"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 outer case of this watch is in wonderful condition with a central rosette and radiating foliage that is perhaps reminiscent of a chrysanthemum. Ellicott appears to have used this design of outer case on a number of his watches.  A similar example in gold, Ellicott no. 5738, was sold at Sotheby’s London, 14^th July 2011, lot 226.  Another example, but in a silver case, Ellicott no. 4887, is illustrated in: The Camerer Cuss book of Antique Watches, p. 125, pl. 63. Interestingly, in his book The Art of the Gold Chaser, Richard Edgcumbe illustrates and describes Ellicott no. 5936 which is hallmarked for 1767 and which features a repoussé case that again bears similarities in design to the present watch and which is attributed to George Michael Moser (see op. cit. p. 131 & fig 122).

For a note on Ellicott, see lot 33.