GEORGE MARGETTS, LONDON | AN IMPORTANT GOLD AND ENAMEL PAIR CASED CYLINDER WATCH WITH TIDAL DIAL, ANNUAL CALENDAR AND ASTRONOMICAL INDICATIONS, THE OUTER CASE BACK WITH ENAMEL PANEL PAINTED EN GRISAILLE1778, NO.1

• Movement: gilded full plate, steel cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock with an eagle at the neck, silver regulator plate, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, movement signed and numbered Geo. Margetts, London, 1• Dial: astronomical dial with white enamel ground, 16 gear train for dial indications advancing clockwise (except fixed mean time dial with Roman numerals, gold north indicator and two gold parallel parabolas) tidal dial indicating tides at eight English ports: Portsmouth, London, Hull, Yarmouth, Dover, Downs (a safe anchorage point in the English Channel), Plymouth and Dublin, the fixed moon hand indicating on the gold rim with four spokes the latitude of the planet together with its position in the Zodiac and declination in degrees on the nearest calibration of the main dial, one spoke to rim engraved with a dragon whose extended tail points to sign and degree of Zodiac marked on the middle calibration, dial edge with annual calendar read against sun hand which also indicates sun’s declination and position in the Zodiac, observer’s horizon indicated by tangential parabola, space between it and inner parabola is astronomical twilight zone, viewed in area of dial enclosed by them is rise, southing and fall of constellations, age of moon engraved on gold through circular aperture to tidal dial • Cases: plain gold inner with stirrup pendant and bow, aperture for winding to case back • gold outer case centred with a portrait of the muse of Astronomy (Urania) en grisaille, the surround decorated with translucent red enamel over engine-turning, further heightened with swags of opaque white enamel beads spaced with ovals of green enamel, the bezels decorated with translucent green enamel over engine-turning, with opaque enamel beaded stringing • both cases hallmarked 1778 and with case maker's mark IW for John Willis

Dial: The dial appears to be in good overall condition with some very small and minor nibbles at the edge. Case: Inner case with some light depressions to the band. Outer case with some repairs/re-enameling to the green enamel of the bezels and some small areas of repair to red enamel. Central scene appears to be good condition. Please note there has been some loss to the enamel on the case back, the green enamel medallion at 1 o'clock is no longer present. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing and appears to be in good condition.
"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."