Along with this third sale from a series of four, Terence Camerer Cuss proposes an epilogue to this sale December 15th, 2016 returning us to the origins of English fine Watchmaking. From the 6th generation at Cuss & Co., the dealer specialized in clocks and watches in London since 1788, only a few years behind Sotheby’s established in 1744, Terence is considered among the best scholar in his field of antique watches. He indeed wrote numerous articles on the subject and is the co-author of the reference book “Camerer Cuss Book of Watches”, published in 1976.

All styles as well as their evolutions are represented since the end of the 16th century until 20th century. All watches described and illustrated in this catalog have a particular place in English watchmaking’s history, more particularly five pieces signed by Thomas Tompion, one of the most prominent member of the Clockmaker’s Company which he joined in 1671 before becoming the Master in 1703-04. This famous English watchmaker, knew how to develop a system of numbering by series for his time keepers. He remains until today one of the most important watchmaker in Engligh horology, his achievements both in watches and clocks have largely contributed to the supremacy of English watchmakers.

By scrolling this catalogue, we will also find other time keepers from the same period signed by various watchmakers, all of which have largely contributed to the « Golden age » of English Horology.

Watches and time keepers which I selected for you are:

Lot 40 – This historical piece is part of a series only 10 similar watches known to the market, some assembled in pairs for the chinese market. A pair precisely was in the memorable sale of King Farouk Collections conducted by Sotheby’s in March 1954, lot 564.

The movement completely engraved by hand has a duplex escapement, frequently used at the time in England for all calibres made for the Chinese market. On the cuvette one sees a horse pulling a rope on the opening for the key winder, indicating the direction by which the watch mechanism is wounded up.
Signed William Anthony, this oval watch set with a power reserve of of 8 days was built circa 1800 especially for the Chinese market; one sees the beautiful case largely decorated at the back in the center with three diamonds and several rows of pearls , as well as enamel with the use of red color meaning happiness in China.

This magnificent watch, previously kept in the Marryat Collection, as described in the reference book Watches by Cecil Clutton and George Daniels in 1965, estimated between $184 000 and $245 000, will certainly be the star of this sale.

Lot 41 – William Hughes, just like his contemporaries, also had an interest in watches and time keepers made for the Chinese market; this fan built with a watch is extremely rare to find on the auction block, by comparison collectors still have in memories all examples sold at Sandberg Collection by Antiquorum in 2001, no doubt this example will also be very desirable.

Dated from mid 18th century, made of gilt metal, enamel and ivory, this fan depicts a mythological scene from The Aenaid in which Venus is asking Vulcan to make a set of armor for her son Aeneas. Freeman of the Clockmaker’s Company in 1781, William Hughes made some very delicate time keepers for the Far East, among which a coach watch with musical and automatons sold in the Webster Collection at Sotheby’s in 1954. Estimated between $61 500 and $98 000, it will attract all collectors’ eye both in the field of the rare watches and precious objects.

Lot 42 – The provenance of this watch accompanied by its chatelaine is undoubtedly what is going to attract the eye of connoisseurs and collectors. Signed James Tregent, Freeman of the Clockmaker’s Company during 27 years, this set of an extreme beauty and delicacy was made especially for the King of England George III circa 1790.

Nonetheless, even without any ” Royal Warrant “, James Tregent managed to work for the Royal Court and received many orders from the King himself, a similar example is now kept in the Royal Collection. King George III like Louis XVI in France was very much involved in the field of horology and made a remarkable collection. Largely decorated and set with pearls and diamonds, the blue enamel case back bears the initials ” GR ” surmounted by the Royal Crown. Due to its provenance, this timepiece estimated between $61 500 and $86 000 will definitely attract watch collectors but also collectors interested in the historical provenance. It will be thus interesting to see the final result.

The celebration of the English Watches by Sotheby’s promises us a great end of the year. Throughout this last article of ‘the expert’s eye’ in 2016, we wanted you to discover another important part of the history of watches and its variants covering 500 years of existence.

If wristwatches are largely promoted on the auction block, it is important to bear in mind that nothing would have happened in its development without all watchmakers spanning a large period of 500 years, from different nations in Europe and the rest of the world, of which the English part played a key role for the development of watches worldwide. Watches are now considered as works of art like any other fields on the auction market which is also largely due to this impressive history of watchmaking.

This technicality and aesthetic which we find on English watches distinguishes itself through major English Watchmakers having formed together the Clockmaker’s Company in London still in existence today.

Through this third opus, Sotheby realized a marvelous work through intensive research which deserved to be mentioned among the collectors community, some of you might discover a new world beyond contemporary watchmaking and brands. Like most independent watchmakers largely influenced by antique watches and watchmakers, such as Abraham-Louis Breguet for FP Journe, it was important to pay a tribute to them through this last article of the year.

This catalog which redraws the golden age of English Watchmakers would have pleased his most illustrious descendant in the 20th century, George Daniels (1926-2011) considered as the father of independent watchmakers.