29,900 CHF
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. 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. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Blued steel "poker and beetle" hands. 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. 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 S
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-10-13
