Cabrier

• gilt full plate movement, verge escapement, fusée and chain, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock and foot, flat three-arm balance, flared pillars  • silver champlevé dial, large aperture with rotating disc divided into day and night, the hours indicated on an outer semicircular chapter ring with Roman numerals, the daytime hours indicated by a gilt sun with pointer, the night hours indicated by the moon with pointer, outer Arabic minute track, single gilt hand • plain silver inner and middle case, winding aperture to back, both inner and middle cases with maker's mark ‘TC’ • tortoiseshell outer case with silver rondels • dial and movement signed Cabrier, London, case with London hallmarks for 1780

Case in worn vintage condition consistent with age. Outer case constructed with panels of tortoise shell with heavy wear and oxidation to adjoining areas. Several fractures and cracks. Silver dot bezel patterning with oxidation and inconsistencies. Bow worn, oxidized, and slightly warped. Outer case back with wear. Area of tortoise shell closest to the button with cracking and oxidation. Cracks along to the tortoise shell across the hinge area. Heavy oxidation to the silvered dial and hands. Small dents throughout. Wear and color fading to the sun and moon dial. Sun moon dial is restored. Movement in fair condition- has not been tested. Red fabric insert to the tortoise shell outer case. Oxidized paper insert with religious verse adhered to the second inner silver case. Inner cases with undulations, wear, and oxidation.
"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."

English watch makers at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th century began experimenting with unusual dial designs for their pieces.  During this period there were four principal variations of dial design: the six-hour dial, the wandering hour dial, the differential dial and, as on the present lot, the sun-and-moon dial. On the present watch, the sun and moon point to the hours as they move across the large semi-circular aperture, whilst minutes are indicated by the single hand on the outer ring.