WILLIAM CARPENTER, LONDON | A LARGE AND UNUSUAL GILT-METAL PAIR CASED VERGE WATCH WITH POLYCHROME ENAMEL PAINTED SCENE, JUMPING QUARTER SECONDS, MOON-AGE AND PHASES, VISIBLE BALANCE AND REGULATOR MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET CIRCA 1785, NO. 4634

• Movement: gilded full-plate engraved with flowers and scrolling foliage, verge escapement, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, gilt-metal dust ring, signed and numbered Wm. Carpenter, London, 4634• Dial: white enamel, aperture revealing the balance set with alternating green and red pastes, six subsidiary dials for hours with Roman numerals, minutes, seconds, jumping 1/4 seconds, regulation and moon-age combined with phases• Cases: gilt-metal inner case, the back with winding aperture, stirrup-form pendant and bow, case maker's mark FM (possibly PM) with coronet above incuse • gilded outer case, the back with polychrome enamel painted scene depicting three classical maidens at a burning altar of love, bezels engraved with flowers and twisted rope-form motif

Dial: In good condition. Some tarnishing to the hands. Case:The inner case with wear to the gilding and depression to the band. Small chip and some hairlines at the left side of the enamel painted scene to outer case back, also two further small hairlines to the right side within the sky, some small scratches also. Gilding to bezels with some rubbing but generally of good colour throughout, the band with rubbing. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing, jumping seconds are operational, decorative backplate in clean condition with minor scuffs, dial with very feint hairline at the upper right edge.
"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."