J. BOCK | A RARE SILVER AND GILT-METAL OVAL ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR WATCH WITH ALARMCIRCA 1635

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved pinned-on floral balance cock, blued steel wheel and click set-up with screwed-on cock in the form of an ostrich's head and neck surrounded by foliage, border of the backplate decorated with engraved scrolling flowers and foliage, fusee and gut line, decoratively pierced and engraved alarm barrel, vase-shaped pillars, signed J. Bock f• Dial: gilded and engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, the lower time dial with inner rotating disc for alarm indication mounted to the edge with a blued steel bug indicating the time upon a silver chapter ring with Roman numerals, short hand to the centre for setting alarm time, the top of the dial with silver chapter ring for date, inner ring calibrated for month to the dial plate and with indication for their number of days, subsidiary dial for days indicated by their corresponding ruling planet to the left and moon-phases to the right with small square aperture above for moon age• Case: oval silver, front lid with engraved armorials, the back plain, gilded engraved bezels, the band decoratively pierced for sound emission and engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, gilded turned terminal with boss to the base, floriate-form pendant with plain ring, the inside lid discreetly stamped with later hallmarks to the centre, bell mounted to the inside case back

Antiquorum Geneva, 10 April 1983, lot 236
Antiquorum Geneva, The Sandberg Watch Collection, 31 March - 1 April, 2001, lot 252

Movement: running at time of cataloguing, alarm train appears to be operational but is sticking and the hammer is not currently striking the bell whilst the movement is within the case; the alarm barrel has been re-pierced and re-engraved. The fusee has been converted to take a chain at some stage in the past but is now again with a gut line - hence no gilding on the cone. Dial: Small marks and scratches to the dial but the overall decorative scheme is clear. Chapter rings with marks, scratches and wear as expected. The hand for month indication was lacking at the time of the watch's sale in 1983 and has since been replaced. Case: with light marks, scuffs and scratches, French import marks to inside of the lid, the bezels with some wear to their gilding, aperture for securing the bell with signs of repair to the outside back. Pierced decoration to the band in attractive 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."

Johann Bock of Frankfurt is listed by Abeler in Meister der Uhrmacherkunst, 1977, p.81. For another astronomical watch with calendar but without alarm by Johann Bock, see Antiquorum Geneva, 18-19 October 1997, lot 577.