This previously unrecorded watch seems to throw some further light on the history of the development of the selfwinding watch. However it may in fact pose more questions than it appears to answer. In the first place it is quite clearly of exceptionally high quality, extremely well finished and in no way experimental. In the second, the workmanship is entirely Swiss in character (with the exception perhaps of the diamond end-stone). Finally, the case, which has Neuchatel hallmarks is of a type closely associated with watches made for export to the Chinese market, notably those signed by Jaquet-Droz. The existence of Chinese characters on the back of the bell confirms that it was indeed in China at one time, and may well have returned to Europe with the many others liberated from the Peking Palace during the Boxer rebellion.That the early pioneers of the selfwinding movement would have known about each others work is certain; however what is not so evident is the extent to which they may have worked together. Recordon, who was himself from Geneva, succeeded to Emery's business (see following lot), and applied for a patent covering five different variations for a selfwinding movement in1780.He would appear to have been associated with several different partners at one and the same time; with Dupont he had an establishment in Tottenham Court road, Emery was in Cockspur Street, and Spencer & Perkins were further associates.That he worked with Jaquet-Droz is wellknown; he sent 50 guineas to Switzerland in 1782 in payment of previous purchases, and was in contact with Maillardet, the London agent and partner. It has frequently been stated that Recordon's patent was really an application on behalf of Breguet, the argument being supported by the fact that he was the London agent for the great man. Ideed, Breguet's books record numerous instances of watches being sent to Recordon, including a perpetuelle destined for the Prince of Wales. One further interesting detail is the use of the double-wheel duplex escapement in the watch now offered for sale; the proper development of said escapement is generally credited to Urban Jurgensen, who worked for Houriet in Le Locle, and marrIed his daughter. Houriet himself worked for Breguet as a maker of tourbillons. It seems quite likely in view of the close co-operation between all the above that Recordon's patent was not an application resulting from his own studies, nor a move inspired entirely by Breguet, but most likely a commercial move to block the development of such mechanisms in England by the native trade and therefore secure what was hoped would be a lucrative trade for his collaborators in Switzerland.