Recordon, London

• Movement: gilded 1/2 plate, lever escapement, large Arnold-type bi-metallic two-arm balance with platinum or white alloy weights, each arm with gold poising and steel timing screw, decoratively engraved balance cock, winding square sleeve and repeating spring cover, dumb repeating to blocks inside the case band, the barrel with decorative oval plate signed and numbered Recordon, Late Emery, London, no. 7223
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, large subsidiary seconds, blued steel skeletonised spade hands, signed Recordon, Late Emery, London
• Case: gold consular case, long cylindrical repeating pendant and D-shaped bow, the plain polished back opening to reveal hinged cuvette with winding aperture and signed Recordon, Late Emery, London, No. 7223 and hallmarked 1802 with case maker's mark LC incuse with scroll or fish above for Louis Comtesse

Sotheby’s London, 28 February 1991, lot 142

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 328-329, pl. 207

Movement running and appears to be in good clean condition. Dial with small repaired chip to the edge of the dial just below 3 o'clock and with feint hairline at the same position running inwards, otherwise appears to be in good condition. Case in good overall condition, glass slightly loose.
"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."

This extraordinary watch incorporates a number of unusual features. Most significantly, the watch is a half-ten minute dumb repeater. After striking the hours, a double blow sounds the ten minutes which are then followed by a single blow, if more than five minutes have elapsed. The lever escapement is of Pendleton’s form (see: Sotheby’s, Celebration of the English Watch Part II, lot 47) - it is widely believed that Pendleton made or was at least heavily involved in the construction of watches with lever escapements signed by Josiah Emery and, therefore, it is unsurprising to find this type in a watch by Emery’s successor, Recordon. Interestingly, the lever is set at right angles which was to become a standard arrangement on English watches.  The end of the lever is looped so that it encircles the balance staff and impulse is received on the opposite side.  Of further note is the movement’s half plate layout, which may be one of the earliest examples of this style on an English watch and which has handsome engraved decoration to the cock and plates for the winding sleeve, barrel and signature. There is also an early overcoil hairspring.  

Louis Recordon (active 1778-1824) worked initially in Greek Street, Soho and later, in 1797, he succeeded to Josiah Emery’s business at 33 Cockspur Street, Charing Cross. Recordon was also Breguet’s London agent, would have been familiar with Breguet’s use of an overcoil and would almost certainly have known the latter had made a half-ten minute repeater.