John Ellicott, London, circa 1742. Highly important 20 ct. gold pair cased astronomical stop-watch with equation of time, annual calendar with the sign of the zodiac, reputed to be made for the King of Spain in two example only (with the No. 2700), in collaboration with Thomas Mudge | Importanti orologi da Poslo, da Tasca e Pendole | Milan, Palazzo Dei Giureconsulti, 21st May 1994

Importanti orologi da Poslo, da Tasca...

Milan, Palazzo Dei Giureconsulti, May 21, 1994

LOT 216

John Ellicott, London, circa 1742. Highly important 20 ct. gold pair cased astronomical stop-watch with equation of time, annual calendar with the sign of the zodiac, reputed to be made for the King of Spain in two example only (with the No. 2700), in collaboration with Thomas Mudge

ITL 100,000 - 200,000

Sold: ITL 290,000,000

C.Two body outer glazed on both faces, polished. Double body inner, "Bassine" glazed on the back for the subsidiary seconds dial. D.White enamel with Roman and Arabic numerals, outer year calendar ring with indication of days and the zodiac signs. Blued steel "poker and beetle" hands. With enamel subsidiary seconds dial on the rear face. Gilt brass dust-cap. M.Hinged gilt brass full plate with column pillars, fusee with chain early cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, plane polished steel three-arm balance with ruby end-stone, blued steel balance spring. Sun and planet equation of time mechanism with maintaining power, driven by the centre wheel. The kidney cam is set on the year calendar wheel and revolves with it. The winding holes are discosed by means of levers driven by the fusee when the watch needs to be wound. Signed on the back plate. In very good condition Diam.: 68 mm

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Notes

Objects of vertue, snuff boxes and watch cases made of gold for the Royal family were exempted of the obligation to be marked. The other watch made on the same plans is illustrated and described by Clutton and Daniels in "Watches" colour plate XVI (G) and fig. 137 A-B-C-D. John Ellicot, London, emminent watchmaker born in 1706, dead in 1772. Member of the Council of the Royal Society and wtchmaker to the King. Invented a compensation for pendulums and developed the cylinder escapement. Published an equation of time table and two articles on the pendulum between 1739 and 1753. Made for the King of Spain several astronomical watches and table clocks.