- 69
VINER & CO., LONDON
Estimate
4,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- AN INTERESTING GOLD OPEN-FACED PUMP WIND LEVER WATCH WITH ECCENTRIC SECONDS1850, NO. 3967
- gold
- diameter 50 mm
• Movement: gilded, ratchet-tooth lever escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance, ruby endstone, jewelled to the centre, hanging barrel, 'Geneva' stop-work, signed Viner & Co. Inventors, 233 Regent Street and Royal Exchange London, No. 3967
• Dial: gold, circular satin finished chapter ring with black Roman numerals, engine-turned chequered centre, similarly finished subsidiary seconds at 3 o'clock, outer minute ring, blued steel spade hands, signed Viner, London
• Case: gold, engine turned case back, pendant with pull wind, case with London 18ct gold hallmarks for 1850 and with maker's mark PC in rectangular cameo for Peter Clerc
• Dial: gold, circular satin finished chapter ring with black Roman numerals, engine-turned chequered centre, similarly finished subsidiary seconds at 3 o'clock, outer minute ring, blued steel spade hands, signed Viner, London
• Case: gold, engine turned case back, pendant with pull wind, case with London 18ct gold hallmarks for 1850 and with maker's mark PC in rectangular cameo for Peter Clerc
Provenance
Sotheby's London, 22nd June, 1999, lot 49
Literature
Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 401, pl. 254
Condition
Movement running and winding at time of cataloguing, hand setting operational. Dial with some light scuffs. Engine turning with some rubbing to the edge of the case back. 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."
"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
Viner’s ‘pump’ system of winding is perhaps the best known keyless winding mechanism not employing a rotating button in the case pendant. The cap in the pendant is fixed to a long stem which, via a crank and a ratchet system, winds the movement by repeated extension and depression of the stem. The hands are set in the traditional manner by means of a square to their centre.
The earliest patent for pump winding is Robert Leslie’s of 1793 (no. 1970) which reads: “A method of winding up a watch by the pendant. On the square where the key should go is a ratch; the pendant, being alternately moved in an out, turns this ratch by means of two clicks on either end of a fork fastened to the pendant.” See T. P. and T. A. Camerer Cuss, The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, 1976, p. 39.
The earliest patent for pump winding is Robert Leslie’s of 1793 (no. 1970) which reads: “A method of winding up a watch by the pendant. On the square where the key should go is a ratch; the pendant, being alternately moved in an out, turns this ratch by means of two clicks on either end of a fork fastened to the pendant.” See T. P. and T. A. Camerer Cuss, The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, 1976, p. 39.