- 58
Robert Pennington, London
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- A FINE SILVER CONSULAR CASED POCKET CHRONOMETER IN WOODEN DECK BOX1811, NO. 224
- silver, mahogany
- diameter 57 mm, length of deck box 134 mm
• Movement: gilded full plate movement, Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, Pennington’s ‘double L’ bi-metallic balance with curved brass piece and limiting screw at end of each of the two arms, blued steel helical spring, plain balance cock, diamond endstone, plate cut away to allow viewing of engagement of detent and escape wheel, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed Robert Pennington, London, 224
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary seconds, gold spade hands, blued steel subsidiary seconds hand, signed Robert Pennington, London and
numbered 224
• Case: plain silver, hinged back opening to reveal fixed silver cuvette with winding aperture, bezel with screw to fix movement, Regency pendant, hallmarked 1801 with maker’s mark IN incuse for John Nevill, wooden deck box with lock and key, brass observation slide signed Pennington, London
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary seconds, gold spade hands, blued steel subsidiary seconds hand, signed Robert Pennington, London and
numbered 224
• Case: plain silver, hinged back opening to reveal fixed silver cuvette with winding aperture, bezel with screw to fix movement, Regency pendant, hallmarked 1801 with maker’s mark IN incuse for John Nevill, wooden deck box with lock and key, brass observation slide signed Pennington, London
Literature
Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 349, pl. 223
Condition
Movement running and appears to be in good clean condition. Dial looks handsome, there are a couple of very feint hairlines at the edge of the dial between 1 and 2 o'clock and 3 and 4 o'clock, scratch between 6 and 7 o'clock. Case with light scuffs and a couple of very minor light depressions. Covers close securely. Deck box appears to be in good overall condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Robert Pennington’s development of the bi-metallic compensation balance was an important contribution to the advancement of precision timekeeping (see lot 54). The
present watch incorporates Pennington’s so-called “double L” bi-metallic balance which has a curved brass piece and a limiting screw at the end of each of the two brass arms.
Although Pennington seems to have supplied the trade with both his own escapements and complete watch movements for the majority of his career, from about 1810 he began to sell a few more watches, especially chronometers, under his own name. It is likely that the majority of Pennington’s signed watches were intended for marine use and would have been supplied with mahogany deck boxes such as that with the present piece.
For a similar watch by Pennington, no. 162, see: T.P & T.A. Camerer Cuss, The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, p. 177, pl. 105.
present watch incorporates Pennington’s so-called “double L” bi-metallic balance which has a curved brass piece and a limiting screw at the end of each of the two brass arms.
Although Pennington seems to have supplied the trade with both his own escapements and complete watch movements for the majority of his career, from about 1810 he began to sell a few more watches, especially chronometers, under his own name. It is likely that the majority of Pennington’s signed watches were intended for marine use and would have been supplied with mahogany deck boxes such as that with the present piece.
For a similar watch by Pennington, no. 162, see: T.P & T.A. Camerer Cuss, The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, p. 177, pl. 105.
For a note on Pennington, see lot 54.