SEBASTIAN MAHL, FRIDBERG | A LARGE SILVER REPOUSSE QUARTER STRIKING AND QUARTER REPEATING COACH WATCH WITH INDICATION FOR DATE AND MONTHCIRCA 1750

• Movement: gilt full plate, verge escapement, pierced balance cock decoratively engraved with foliage and a grotesque mask at the neck, silver regulation plate, four trains for the alarm, repeater, strike and time, four hammers striking on nesting bell, interior bezel and barrels with decorative engraving, stylised lyre-form pillars, fusee and chain, signed Sebastian Mahl, Fridberg• Dial: silver champlevé, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, central alarm indicator disc engraved "Alle verwunden Eine tödtet", aperture for month above 12 o'clock and date at 3 o'clock, blued steel beetle and poker hands, setting square for alarm disc beside 9 o'clock• Case: silver, the back with repoussé chased and engraved with a classical scene depicting Neptune bearing his trident and calming the winds which are personified to the right of the scene, Neptune's chariot is drawn by hippocampi whilst his son Triton blows a conch shell in the foreground, shell and scrollwork borders, signed DW to edge of chariot above lower right-hand winding aperture, four apertures to the centre for winding the separate trains, the bezels pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage and shell motifs, aperture to the bezel between 6 and 7 o'clock for the pull repeat

Movement: running at the time of cataloguing and striking, strike mechanism may require some adjustment, would benefit from a clean and fresh oil. Small crack to the band under the dial. Dial: tarnishing throughout, light scuffs, the numerals with heavy cracks and areas of loss to the black insert Case: heavily tarnished. Scuffs throughout. Signs of wear and rubbing to the repousse.
"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 signed by Sebastian Mahl, the present lot is very similar to other coach watches variously bearing the signatures Gilles de Beefe; Miroir, London; Jo Legeips, London, all of which are believed to have been made by Josef Spiegel in Friedberg. For a similar watch attributed to Josef Spiegel but with different repoussé scene, see Sotheby's London, Masterworks of Time Part I, 2 July 2019, lot 55. A half-quarter repeating coach watch by Spiegel can be found in the British Museum, to the movement of that watch, Spiegel has signed his surname in reverse: 'Jo Legeips, London.' Josef Spiegel is listed by J. Abeler in his book Meister der Uhrmacherkunst, 1977, p.590.