SWISS | A SELF-WINDING CYLINDER WATCH IN LATER ENGLISH SILVER CONSULAR CASEMOVEMENT CIRCA 1785 CASE HALLMARKED 1895

• Movement: unsigned gilded full plate, cylinder escapement, 'bob'-form perpetuelle weight mounted to the backplate with banking springs to either side• Dial: white enamel, painted en grisaille with flower garlands, subsidiary time dial, Roman numerals, centre seconds with outer ring calibrated to fifths and with Arabic numerals, sector for regulation• Case: later silver English case, hallmarked London 1895 

Christie's Geneva, 29 April 1975, lot 138

Movement: dirty and not running at time of cataloguing. Dial: star crack by 25 seconds past, otherwise appears to be in good overall condition. Tail of the centre seconds hand is missing. Case: movement fits well to case, tarnished and dirty.
"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."

In their book, The History of the Self-Winding Watch, Alfred Chapuis and Eugène Jaquet (revised English edition, 1956, pp.171-177) devote a section to early pedometer wound watches with round weights and watches with similar movements and dials are illustrated op. cit. figs. 76-80. The authors note that these watches were of French or Swiss origin.