WILHELM FRIEDRICH BUSCH, HAMBURG | AN UNUSUAL SILVER PAIR CASED ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR VERGE WATCH WITH RARE SILVER AND ROCK CRYSTAL BALANCE COCKCIRCA 1710

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, silver regulation plate, four-arm balance with short spring, large silver balance cock set with a rock crystal panel to the centre, broad decoratively pierced and foliate engraved foot, crested Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, signed Wilh. Friedr. Busch, Hamburg• Dial: silver, champlevé subsidiary dial for time with Roman numerals combined with aperture for days of the week with ruling planet, two further dials for date and moon age combined with aperture for moon phases, further wedge shaped triple aperture for month with corresponding number of days and planetary symbols, all hands blued steel, the ground decoratively chased and engraved with scrolling foliage and astrological symbols, gilded border, banners to the lower half signed Wilhelm Friedrich Busch• Cases: plain silver inner, aperture for winding to back, indistinct maker's mark, plain ring pendant, outer case with square hinge

Movement: will run for very short periods but is sluggish and will require cleaning and overhaul. Dial: tarnished and retaining clear decorative scheme. Case: Inner case with light depressions to the band, Outer case with some light indentations. Covers close securely.
"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."

J. Abeler notes in Meister der Uhrmacherkunst that Wilhelm Friedrich Busch was baptized in 1687. The movement of this watch has an unusual silver cock set with a rock crystal panel that reveals the balance and its spring; for another example of a movement with rock crystal balance cock made by a contemporary of Busch's, Andreas Golling, see: Sotheby's, Masterworks of Time Part I, lot 33.