OCTAVY JOHANN DENNICKEN, KONIGSBERG | A SILVER PAIR CASED SUN AND MOON VERGE WATCH CIRCA 1720

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, silver balance cock decoratively pierced and engraved with three birds carrying a tortoise, broad cock foot engraved with scrolling foliage, plain brass pillars each mounted with a pierced and engraved eagle each holding a different attribute including a sword and an anchor, silver regulation disc, fusee and chain, signed Octa. Joh. Dennicken, Konigsberg• Dial: silver champlevé, large aperture with rotating disc divided into day and night, the hours indicated on an outer semi-circular chapter ring with Roman numerals heightenedwith black wax, the daytime hours indicated by a golden sun with pointer, the night hours indicated by a silver moon with pointer surrounded by silver stars, both the sun and moon against a blued steel sky, outer Arabic minute ring, single steel hand, the lower half of the dial with two eagles supporting banners signed Octav. Joh. Dennicken, Konigsbrg, • Cases: plain silver inner and pendant, split bezel for glass retention, later bow, shuttered winding aperture to back, case maker's mark A H incuse beneath a crown • outer tortoiseshell covered with silver piqué work depicting a stylised flower to the centre and four coronets to the edge, the front bezel with further pin work decoration plain pendant

Dial: With light scuffs and scratches, tarnished and with some losses to the black wax infill of the numerals and tracks. Blued steel has darkened with age. Case: Inner case with denting throughout the surface. Outer case with multiple chips, cracks and losses to the tortoiseshell and a few losses to the silver pin decoration. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing, scratches and wear to the surfaces.
"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."

Although by the beginning of the 18th century the standard dial configuration with concentric hour and minute hands had become more or less universal, some unusual dial designs were devised. During this period there were four principal variations of dial design: the six-hour dial (see lot 34), the wandering hour dial (see lot 42), the differential dial and, as in this instance, 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.