William Graham, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, decoratively pierced and engraved winged masked balance cock, plain flat balance, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, repeating on a bell to the inside case back, round baluster pillars • gilt metal dust cap • movement signed and numbered W. Graham, London, 66, dust cap scratch numbered 66 to underside, bell scratch signed Wilham Wyh and scratch numbered 66
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, Arabic outer minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands
• Case: gold inner case with pierced band of scrolling foliage inhabited by birds, numbered below the pendant and with engraved townscape, mask to the base, centre of the back with engraved rosette, London hallmarks for 1724, case maker’s mark WS incuse for William Sherwood and numbered 66, the outer case chased with a repoussé scene depicting the hermit Diogenes and Alexander the Great, signed AH to the step for Augustin Heckel, the surround pierced and engraved with foliate scrolls and divided into personifications of the Four Seasons, the bezel pierced with scrolling foliage and interspersed with panels representing the elements: salamander (fire), bird (air), fish (water) rabbit (earth), pulse piece below 5 o’clock, diamond-set thumb piece and catches
above and below

Movement running and repeating and pulse piece also operational at time of cataloguing. Dial with hairline and small chip at the edge of the dial between 4 and 5 o'clock and a small chip beside the catch, otherwise generally in good condition. Inner case in good condition with light scuffs, decoration retains good definition. Outer case in lovely condition, the repoussé with good lustre and clear definition to the scene. Covers close securely. Bell scratch signed possibly William Wye, London and numbered 66, inner case numbered 66
"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 is an important and previously unrecorded pair cased watch by William Graham, nephew of George Graham. The watch has one of the lowest numbers so far recorded by William Graham and has one of the earliest signed repoussé outer cases by Augustin Heckel. In his book, Thomas Tompion at the Dial and Three Crowns, Jeremy Evans records eight other watches by William Graham, five of which are numbered, the present watch is not recorded.

The movement is characteristic of the work of George Graham and the repeating work is a very early example of Matthew Stogden’s design which soon became the standard for all English watches. The enamel dial and hands are of the finest quality and the inner case is by William Sherwood, the same case maker that George Graham was using during this period.

William Graham initially worked in London but later emigrated to America. In his autobiography, The Infortunate, published in 1743, William Moraley writes of working for William Graham in Philadelphia for a ten week period during 1733. Interestingly,
Moraley states that his reason for leaving this employment was due to Graham’s plan of settling in Antigua.

Augustin Heckel’s outer case is of exceptional quality and is in outstanding condition. The scene depicts Alexander the Great standing before Diogenes of Sinope, a 4th Century Cynic Philosopher. Diogenes led an ascetic life and in this scene is shown seated in front of the barrel in which he lived. The composition is adapted from one by Salvator Rosa (but possibly derived from a copy by Lorenzo Loli which, like the present chasing, has the figures reversed). The scene shows the moment immediately after Alexander has invited the philosopher to ask for a favour of his choice, Diogenes responds by asking the emperor to move aside as he is shading him from the sun. In the scene, Diogenes is seen making the associated gesture. The four surrounding cartouches have representations of the Four Seasons opposite the Four Elements to the bezel (see R. Edgcumbe, Art of the Gold Chaser, figs. 38c - 38g). Augustin Heckel, born in Augsburg, came to London sometime between 1715 and 1720. He set up a business as a watch case engraver, painter, and draughtsman.  Heckel was considered one of the finest chasers of the period. For biographic details on this maker as well as illustrations of his work, see Edgcumbe, op. cit., pp.56-58 and figs. 38-56.