FRENCH, ROYAL EXCHANGE | AN IMPRESSIVE AND HIGHLY DECORATED GOLD HUNTING CASED QUARTER REPEATING TWO-TRAIN CLOCKWATCH WITH CALENDAR AND DUPLEX ESCAPEMENT, MADE FOR THE SOUTH AMERICAN MARKET1845, NO. 9328

• Movement: two train gilded and ornately engraved three-quarter plate,  duplex escapement, repeating on a gong, signed and numbered French, Royal Exchange, London, 9328• Dial:  silver with foliate engraved decoration, applied gold floral decoration, gilt Roman hours, subsidiary chapter ring for date, blued crescent hands • signed and numbered French, Royal Exchange, London, 9328 • Case: heavily and ornately engraved throughout, levers to adjust the day and date under the bezel, hallmarked London 1845, with case maker's mark LC for Louis Comtesse, Soho, London

Dial: scuffs to the chapter rings and tarnished to the silvered dial Case: light scuffs throughout, heavily tarnished. Latch not releasing the lid. Movement: running at the time of cataloguing, however the striking mechanism is not operating.
"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."

Santiago James Moore French was based at the Royal Exchange and Sweetings Alley in London. The dial and case are highly decorated throughout, with the inside and outside of each cover, including the cuvette, backplate of the movement, pendant and bow with fine and intricate foliate engraving. This style of decoration was especially popular in the Spanish and South American markets and the case maker of this watch, Louis Comtesse, produced cases of this type for other makers including Jose R. Losada, a Spanish watchmaker working in London c.1835-1881.