J. Hammersley, London

• Movement: gilded half-plate movement, spring detent escapement, blued steel duo-in-uno balance spring, plain balance cock raised for clearance and with diamond endstone,
fusee and chain, Harrison’s maintaining power, signed J. Hammersley No. 3682, 14 Barclay Road, Fulham, London
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, large subsidiary seconds, up-and-down indicator below 12 o’clock for state of wind, inner bezel calibrated for 24-hours
• Case: plain silver, the hinged back opening to hinged cuvette with winding and setting apertures, case and cuvette hallmarked London 1881 and with maker’s mark JTW in oval
cameo for James Thomas White

Time Museum, Rockford, Illinois, Inventory no. 2046

Sotheby's New York, Masterpieces from the Time Museum Part IV, 13th-14th October, 2004, lot 648

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 414, pl. 266

Anthony Randall, Museum Catalogue of Chronometers, 1992, p. 195, item 81

Movement running at time of cataloguing and appears to be in good clean condition. There is what appears to be a light hairline running from 7 to 9 o'clock, otherwise the dial looks in good overall condition. Case with light scuffs, some slight pitting between the back and the bezel rim. Pendant with date letter hallmark for 1879.
"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."

John Hammersley (1819-1901) was a notable springer and adjuster. In common with A. P. Walsh, Hammersley extensively used the duo-in-uno balance spring (see lot 71).

The finish of the present watch is quite exceptional and the fact that it is key wound rather than keyless (high quality key wound watches were becoming increasingly unusual by this date) suggests that it may have been intended as a deck watch or perhaps for land survey purposes. The unusual 13-24 hour zone engraved and filled with blue enamel on the reflector inside the front bezel of the case could support its use on board ship.