GEORGE MARGETTS, LONDON | A RARE SILVER PAIR CASED POCKET CHRONOMETER 1797, NO. 13

• Movement: gilded full plate, spring detent escapement, pierced and foliate engraved balance cock, an urn at the neck, a typical Margetts pocket chronometer bi-metallic balance with tangential screws on the compensation weights , helical balance spring, diamond end-stone, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars signed and numbered George Margetts, London, No. 13• Dial: white enamel, the upper dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring, large subsidiary seconds beneath, gold hands• Cases: plain silver inner case, winding aperture to case back, stirrup pendant and bow • plain polished outer, both cases hallmarked 1797 and with maker's mark IR incuse 

Sotheby's Zurich, 17 November 1976, lot 95
Crott Auctions, 24 November 2007, lot 240

Dial: With some hairline cracks. Hands in good condition Case: Inner and outer cases appear to be in good overall condition. 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."

Research carried out by Jonathan Betts has shown that, during the mid-1790s, Margetts began to shift his focus towards the production of marine chronometers. Whilst relatively late in his career, the strong demand for chronometers meant that this was a lucrative area of the horological market and one through which Margetts might have hoped to continue to recover from his bankruptcy (Margetts's bankruptcy had been declared on 29 December 1788). Also notable is the fact that the 14-year privileges of Arnold and Earnshaw's chronometer escapements had expired respectively in 1796 and 1797. It was during the late 1790s that Margetts began to sell pocket chronometers, and the present chronometer, which is numbered 13, is one of the earliest from this period. For further information on George Margetts, see lot 67 in the present sale and Jonathan Betts, Marine Chronometers at Greenwich, OUP, 2017, pp.230-236.