Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, May 13, 2007

LOT 611

?Thomas Tompion & George Graham? Thomas Tompion & George Graham, London, No. 4538. Made circa 1712. Fine and very rare, pair-cased, silver pocket watch. To be sold without reserve

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

EUR 2,500 - 3,700 / USD 3,300 - 5,000

Sold: CHF 7,670

C. Outer: two-body, ?bassine?, master mark ?NTW?, polished, inner: two-body, ?bassine?, master mark ?NTW?, polished, deep back. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals. Blued steel "beetle and poker" hands. M. 38,4 mm, gilt full-plate with divided Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel balance with flat balance spring, finely engraved single-footed winged cock with angled foot, silver regulation dial. Movement signed. Cases with London hallmarks for 1785. Diam. 56 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3-24

Good

Slightly chipped
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-43-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

In common with a great many of Tompion?s watches, this watch has been re-cased in the later 18th Century in cases specifically made for the purpose. This happened because watches by Tompion were always very highly valued and therefore watch owners chose to update the cases of his watches rather than buy a completely new watch. By the third quarter of the 18th Century, the high baroque style of the beginning of the century was deeply unfashionable as the neoclassical style took hold. By re-casing their watches, owners could have the latest style whilst retaining a highly prized movement by the greatest English maker. The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, November 11, 2001, lot 272, professor Thomas Engels Collection.

Thomas Tompion (1639-1713) & George Graham (1673-1751)
Perhaps the two most eminent British makers, they were in partnership for a very short time between about 1711 and 1713, watches signed by both makers are rare.