195,500 HKD
Robert Grinkin in Fleet Street (London), circa 1640. Fine and rare gilt metal and rock-crystal watch. Lobed form with two-part frame, the border engraved with a hatched pattern, the interior surround with scrolls and foliage. Facetted rock-crystal cover and back. Loose-ring pendant and button finial. Silver with Roman numerals, the center engraved with a floral composition. Blued steel single hand. GiIt brass dial plate engraved with a floral decoration. Hinged gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars (one replaced), three wheel train, fusee with gut-line, verge escapement with balance wheel foliot, irregular oval florally pierced and engraved gilt brass cock. Later worm-and-wheel set-up. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. Dim. 44 x 29 mm. Notes English watches, dating from the first hait of the XVllth century are particularly rare, due in large part to the troubled political conditions of the time. Robert grinkin is one of the most notable makers of the period, and a founder member of the Clockmakers Company, having previously been Master of the Blacksmiths Company in 1609. He was elected to the Clockmakers in 1632, Master in 1648, and died in 1660. Examples of his work are preserved in several Museums despite their rarity.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-06-10
