Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 309

Charles Clay, Inventor of the Machine Watches, Strand, London, circa 1740. Highly important and very rare ebonized miniature hour repeating bracket clock striking hours and half-hours.

CHF 11,000 - 14,000

EUR 7,000 - 9,000 / USD 9,000 - 11,000

Sold: CHF 75,900

C. Broken-arch with silver carrying handle, silver framed door, square silver feet. D. Silver disc with radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute Arabic markers, silver spandrels with masks of exotic animals, subsidiary dial at top for strike/silent. Blued steel ?spade? hands. M. Rectangular, 94 x 78 mm, brass, back plate fully engraved with foliage, scrolling and mask, five pillars, two train fusee movement with platform lever escapement (later), rack striking, striking and repeating on bell.Dial and back plate signed.Dim. height 17 cm (without handle), width 10.5 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 13
Movement: 3 - 14*
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Miniature bracket clocks are exceptionally rare. This may be why the owner, in the 19th century, decided to convert the clock to a platform escapement so that he could travel with it. Charles Clay began his clock and watchmaking career in Stockton, Yorkshire. Subsequently he moved to the Strand in London. In 1715 he petitioned for a patent for a musical and repeating mechanism for clocks and watches. Daniel Quare opposed presenting a watch which did the same. However, the Attorney General ruled in Clay?s favor. The Clockmaker?s Company opposed and after a long fight, which lasted from February 1716 to late 1717, Clay lost and the patent was not granted. The London Weekly Journal wrote on May 8, 1736: ? Mr. Clay, the inventor of the machine watches in the Strand, had the honour of exhibiting to her Majesty at Kensington his surprising musical clock, which gave uncommon satisfaction to all the Royal Family present.?