Hunt & Roskell, London

• Movement: gilded frosted three-quarter plate, ratchet tooth lever escapement, blued steel helical spring, bi-metallic compensation balance, decoratively engraved balance cock, diamond endstone, polished steel chronograph work visible to the backplate, two polished hammers repeating on coiled gongs, signed and numbered Hunt & Roskell, 156 New Bond Street, London, No. 13123
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, two sunken subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30-minute register, outer ring for minutes/chronograph seconds, signed Hunt & Roskell, London
• Case: gold, plain polished covers, gold hand-set button with olivette, chronograph pusher and recessed repeating slide to the band, case, cuvette, pendant and bow with 18ct gold hallmarks, covers with date letter for London 1877 and maker's mark HW incuse for Henry Webb  

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 412, pl. 264

Movement running and repeating at time of cataloguing, chronograph is also functioning. May benefit from a service. Dial with hairline crack which appears to run through the centre from 3 to 9 o'clock but does not seem to go through the subsidiary counters. Case in good overall condition with light polishing.
"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."

This is an especially fine repeating chronograph watch which was retailed by Hunt & Roskell, an important retailer of the Victorian era. Unusually, the lever escapement has been fitted with a blued steel helical spring - a feature more generally found on watches with detent escapements. The lever itself is at right angles in the normal manner, however, it is beautifully finished and the lever is with a particularly long arm and counterpoised.