ROBERT ROSKELL, LIVERPOOL

• Movement: gilded full plate, rack lever escapement, decoratively engraved balance cock marked Patent, flat steel three-arm balance, diamond endstone, cap in pendant on a worm, striking on a gong, signed Robt. Roskell, Liverpool, 10030
• Dial: gold, decoratively engine-turned centre, chapter ring polished Roman numerals against a matte stippled ground, outer minute ring, blued steel serpentine hands
• Case: rose gold engine-turned case, ribbed band, hinged back opening to reveal cuvette with winding aperture and engraved: Robt. Roskell's Patent Repeater No. 10030, Liverpool, the pendant cap striking hours when turned left and quarters when turned right, case back and cuvette with Chester 18kt gold hallmarks for 1832 and with incuse case maker's mark T.H for Thomas Helsby, both numbered 10030 

Sotheby's Geneva, 17th May, 2000, lot 89

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, pp. 394-395, pl. 248
T.P. & T.A. Camerer Cuss, The Camerer Cuss book of Antique Watches, 1987, pl. 132
Cecil Clutton and George Daniels, Watches, Second Edition, 1971, figs. 516-518, Third Edition, 1979, figs. 285 a-c 
T.P. Camerer Cuss, The Country Life Book of Watches, 1967, p. 65, fig. 74

Movement running and repeating at time of cataloguing, winding and hand setting operational. Dial in good condition. Case in very attractive condition with good clear engine turned decoration.
"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 present watch incorporates Joseph Berrollas’ patent (no. 3174, October 31st, 1808) for an unusual form of repeating work. Few watches are known with Berrollas’ system and it would appear that it was not widely taken up. The cap in the pendant is on a worm: turned clockwise it will wind outwards striking the hours on a gong, anticlockwise it will return to the case striking the quarters.

Robert Roskell was active from 1798 and worked in both London and Liverpool. He is especially well-known for the quality of his rack lever watches and later for watches with
Massey’s lever escapements.