Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Oct 13, 2001

LOT 576

George Graham, London, No. 567, case with master mark "W.S.", London hallmarks for 1727.Very fine 22K gold pair-cased, quarter-repeating watch with early cylinder escapement.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

USD 15,100 - 18,200

Sold: CHF 29,900

C. Outer: two-body, the bezel pierced with foliage and repoussé with floral decoration, the back repoussé with a scene depicting Orpheus and Eurydice, four outer small landscape vignettes and further pierced and engraved foliage. Inner: two-body, "bassine", the band pierced and engraved with a mask and inhabited foliage, gilt brass dust cap. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Blued steel "poker and beetle" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with turned pillars,fusee with chain, cylinder escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance-spring, gilt brass English pierced and engraved balance cock with diamond endstone. Repeating on a bell by depressing the pendant.Signed on the dust cap and back plate, inner case punched "W.S.".Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 5 - 6 - 14
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

This watch is published in the Ruscitti book, as no. 23.George Graham (1673-1751).One of the most famous British horologists. In 1688 he became apprenticed to Henry Aske for seven years. In 1695 he was admitted as a freeman to the Clockmaker's Company and immediately entered the service of Thomas Tompion. In 1696 he married Tompion's niece Elizabeth. After the death of Tompion in 1713, Graham continued the business at the same address, at the sign of The Dial and Three Crowns, at the corner of Water Lane, in Fleet Street, London. In 1720 he moved to new premises, The Dial andOne Crown, on the other side of the same street, nearer Fleet Bridge, where he remained until his death. Graham was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1721 and became Member of its Council in 1722. He contributed 21 papers on various subjects to the Philosophical Translations. He became Master of the Clockmaker's Company in 1722. After the expiration of Booth, Houghton and Tompion's patent, Graham devoted some thought to the cylinder escapement, which in 1725 he improved to practically its pesent form and which after, 1726 he used in most of his watches. He invented the dead-beat escapement in 1715 and the mercury pendulum in 1726.