John Wright, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with foliage and a head at the neck, the foot similarly decorated, flat balance, ruby endstone, a coiled snake indicating upon silver regulation plate, ruby endstone, fusee and chain, baluster pillars, signed John Wright, London
• Dial: gold champlevé, Roman numerals with half hour divisions between and to the inner ring, outer Arabic minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands, cartouches to the centre signed Wright, London, all against a stippled ground
• Cases: plain gold inner, the back with winding aperture • gold outer case, the back with the arms of the Earls of Oxford and Mortimer, square hinge, both cases hallmarked 1717 and with maker's mark IB with coronet above for John Banbury

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 167, pl. 91

Movement running and appears to be in clean condition. Dial with some losses to the black pitch but otherwise in good overall condition with some minor scuffs. Inner case with light scuffs and minor depression to the band, hallmarks to inner case are rubbed but just about legible - date letter does look likely to be the same as that in the outer case. Outer case with light scuffs.
"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 high quality movement of this watch has quite early ruby bearings and end-caps for the balance. Engraved to the outer case back are the arms of the Earls of Oxford and Mortimer, a peerage created for Robert Harley in 1711. Robert Harley (1661-1724) and his son Edward (1689-1741) formed an important collection of books and manuscripts, known as the Harleian Library. Consisting of many thousands of manuscripts, the Harley Collection was sold to the British Government by Edward Harley’s widow in 1753 and is now housed at the British Library.