Richard Riccorde, Londini

• Movement: gilded full plate, decoratively pierced and floral engraved screwed and pinned-on balance cock, plain flat balance, worm and wheel set-up, fusee and gut line, Egyptian pillars, signed Richard Riccorde, Londini
• Dial: silver champlevé with stippled ground, long Roman numerals with quarter hour divisions beneath, the centre with decorative rosette
• Cases: plain silver inner case, split bezel for glass retention • leather outer protective case with decorative piqué work  

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 95, pl. 46

Movement running at time of cataloguing, some scuffs and scratches to the backplate. Dial has been refreshed. Inner case with light scuffs. Pin work decoration to the outer protective case with some small areas of loss and some replacement pins. 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."

Richard Riccorde (also Ricord) was made a Free Brother of the Clockmakers’ Company in May 1649, just a few months after the execution of King Charles I. Research carried out by Jeremy Evans has shown that Riccorde lived in London at the Cock and Key Alley and later, Boar’s Head Alley. These addresses (which may in fact be one and the same) were in the parish of St Dunstan’s where Richard and his wife Goditha baptised two daughters, Hester, on 19^th April 1652 and Elizabeth on 14^th September 1654 [See: Jeremy Evans, Benjamin Hill, Antiquarian Horology, Vol. 26, No. 1, March 2001, p. 52]. Riccorde’s last apprentice was Free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1675 after which there is no further record of him.

Riccorde was amongst those who rebelled against the administration of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1656. The rebels, fronted by Ahasuerus Fromanteel, presented a petition to the Lord Mayor listing a variety of grievances related to the way the Company’s affairs were being conducted by the Master, Wardens and Assistants. Amongst these ‘grievances’ it was noted the role of Master was rotating between only 5 men. For further information, see: B. Loomes, The Fromanteel Story, Antiquarian Horology, Vol. 9, No. 2, March 1975.