JOH. JAC. SERNER, LÜBECK | A SILVER WANDERING HOUR WATCH WITH ENAMEL PORTRAITS OF A GENTLEMAN AND LADY IN ASSOCIATED SHAGREEN OUTER CASECIRCA 1720

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, engraved winged balance cock mounted with a polychrome enamel painted miniature of a lady, broad pierced and engraved cock foot, silver regulation disc, Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, signed Joh. Jac. Serner, Lübeck• Dial: gilded sector with wandering hour aperture decoratively engraved with scrolling foliage, semi-circular silver sectors above and below respectively for minutes and quarter hours, polychrome enamel painted portrait bust possibly of Frederick I of Prussia (1657-1713) surrounded by applied gilded, chased and engraved military trophies• Cases: plain silver inner, split bezel for glass retention, pendant with later ring • associated outer case of gilt metal with shagreen covering, heightened with gilded pin work decoration

Antiquorum Geneva, 24 April 2004, lot 121

Dial: With scuffs and scratches, some wear to the gilding. The enamel portrait to the dial in good overall condition. Portrait to balance cock with some scratches and also some chips to upper left side. Case: Inner case with dents to the surface, especially the band and with a small split to the left of the winding aperture and a further split opposite at the other side of the case back. Pendant with signs of repair, the ring later. Shagreen outer case is later and with some splits and repairs, also some of the pin work decoration now lacking. There is a 19th century import mark to the case. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing.
"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."

Jürgen Abeler, in his book Meister der Uhrmacherkunst [1977, p.279] records that Johnann Jakob Serner was married twice, once in 1702 and a second time in 1717. Serner died around 1728. In Watches, by Cecil Clutton and George Daniels, [1965, p.77] the authors write: “a peculiarity of the wandering hour watches is that nearly, if not quite all, surviving English specimens have a royal attribution, such as a royal portrait." Interestingly in this Lübeck made watch, the practice of applying a monarch's portrait to the dial appears to be continued. For a detailed explanation of how the wandering hour dial works see: op. cit. pp. 76-77. 

A similar piece by the same maker was sold at Christies, Geneva, November 2009, lot 351.