FROMANTEEL & CLARKE | GOLD PAIR CASED VERGE WATCH WITH DATECIRCA 1700

Dial: gold, champlevé, with pierced and engraved centre, banner signed Fromanteel & Clarke, silver calendar aperture at 12Movement: full plate, verge escapement, pierced and engraved winged balance cock, fusee and chain, open work pillars, signed Fromanteel & ClarkeCases: plain gold inner, embossed and chased highly decorative outer with seven knuckle hinge, Dutch hallmarks and casemaker's marks rubbedDimensions: 57mm diameter

Antiquorum Geneva, 16-17 November 2002 lot 8

DIAL: losses to the pitch infill throughout the numerals on the dial. the hands are matched, one or both hands are possible replacements. CASE: small dent by the thumb piece on the outer case. The outer case is a little rubbed so a little of the detail is lost but overall the case is in very nice order. The bow loop is possibly later. There is a number 3063 by the bow on the inner case. MOVEMENT: The watch ticks when wound at the time of cataloguing but the watch is untested for timekeeping. The date advances. Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"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."

The younger Ahasuerus Fromanteel and his son-in-law Christopher Clarke were known to have worked together on clocks and watches, mainly in Amsterdam and also sometimes London, until Ahasuerus died in 1703. Interestingly they did not tend to designate where their watches were made on the dial or movements. The richly engraved gold case is highly reminiscent of designs typically found on 17^thcentury French metal cased Oignon watches.  The Dictates of Louis XIV’s Sumptuary Laws, were such that a wealthy patron desiring a gold cased Oignon meant  going abroad to fulfil such a wish.