Thomas Howes, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and floral engraved pinned-on balance cock and foot, flat steel balance, wheel and click set-up, three wheel train, fusee and gut line, round baluster pillars • movement signed Thomas Hows in Popeshead ally an engraved sun between the name and location
• Dial: flat silver dial with Roman numerals, half hour marks, inner quarter hour divisions, single blued steel double ended hour hand with foliate head, four tags to the edge for case
placement
• Case: plain silver inner case, the back with shuttered winding aperture, lacking outer case

Private American Collection from 1970

T.P. Camerer Cuss, The Country Life Book of Watches, Country Life, 1967, p. 22 pl. 15

Movement running at time of cataloguing. Dial with light scuffs and a couple of small pin head sized indentations. The case with light scuffs, bezel with some light dents and splits.
"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."

Watches of standard size made prior to 1640/1645 were almost universally octagonal or oval, however this exquisite petite watch of about 1635 is circular. The movement is remarkably original and in outstanding condition.

Thomas Howes was a founding member of the Clockmakers’ Company and one of the original subscribers to its formation in 1630 (see: Atkins & Overall, Some Account of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, 1881, pp. 21 & 51). Howes was made an Assistant to the Clockmakers’ in 1640 and a Warden in 1642, the same year as his last attendance.

Pope’s Head Alley runs north out of Lombard Street towards Cornhill and opposite the south side of the Royal Exchange. The name was first recorded in 1624 and was named after the ‘Popes Heade Tavern’ (see: www.british-history.ac.uk). Both Britten and Loomes record Howes at ‘the Sun in Pope’s Head Alley’ and the movement of this watch has a small engraved sun between the signature ‘Thomas Hows’ and ‘In Popeshead Ally’. Streets were not numbered at this time so shops and other premises employed signs to mark their location; it is possible that Howes used the sign of the sun to suggest time.