Thomas Mudge, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced and foliate engraved balance bridge, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, turned pillars, repeating
on a bell to the inside case back • dust cap signed Thos. Mudge & Wm Dutton, movement signed T. Mudge, London 681
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, decoratively pierced hands
• Case: gold inner case, decoratively pierced and engraved with scroll work, a mask to the base and rosette in the centre of the back with winding aperture above, case maker’s mark P.M incuse (probably Peter Mounier) • gilt metal outer protective case with leather covering decorated with gold piqué work monogram and coronet of Graf von Schulenberg, bezels further decorated with gold pin work

Terrence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch, 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 226-227, pl. 137

Movement running and repeating at time of cataloguing. Later dial with very small and minor chip to the very edge by 3 o'clock, otherwise appears to be in good condition. Hands later also. Inner case with clear decoration, very minor depression to the band, outer case with some rubbing to the leather, pin work in good overall condition with very few pins missing. Covers close securely.
"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 history of the minute repeating watch has been the subject of much debate over the years and no firm date can be placed on its introduction. For some years Thomas Mudge was credited with its introduction and Mudge no. 318, belonging to the Duke of Wellington, which is hallmarked 1756 (10 years before the present watch), is believed to be the earliest signed and dated minute repeating watch. However, it seems certain
that minute repeating watches were made in Bavaria (see: S. Whitestone, Antiquarian Horology, December 2010), and probably Switzerland earlier in the 18th century. Nevertheless, Mudge does appear to have been the first to have made a minute repeating watch which can be considered thoroughly English.

The present lot is one of four known surviving minute repeating watches signed by Mudge. Sequentially the earliest is Mudge no. 317, which closely resembles no. 318 mentioned above but survives as a movement only and so cannot be dated from the case. A third minute repeating watch signed by Mudge, no. 407, was sold at Sotheby’s London, 16th October 1961, lot 47. The present watch, no. 681, is the fourth minute
repeating watch known signed by Thomas Mudge and unlike the previous three which strike the hours, quarters and minutes in the conventional manner, this watch strikes after the hours, a double blow to the nearest ten minutes, followed by the minutes themselves. It is believed that a watch signed by Ellicott (no.2844), which repeats in the same manner as the present watch, may in fact also be by Mudge, for a description
of that watch, see: Arndt Simon, Antiquarian Horology, Autumn 1991.

The back of the outer case of the present watch has the monogram and coronet of Graf von Schulenberg and it is possible that Schulenberg was introduced to Mudge by his
important patron, Count von Bruhl. The movement is signed “Thos. Mudge Willm. Dutton” which reflects the fact that William Dutton became a liveryman of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1766 and from this date was beginning to sign work jointly with his partner. Interestingly the movement has a bridge cock, a feature seldom seen in English watches and one very rarely used by Mudge.

For a note on Thomas Mudge, see lot 28.