Sotheby's London | The Celebration of the English Watch Part III: The Genius of Thomas Tompion

The Most Important Private Collection of English Watches Returns
At Sotheby’s London for the Third Part in a Series of Four Sales
The 15 December Sale Celebrates the Legacy of Thomas Tompion,
The Father of English Watchmaking
On view in our New Bond Street Galleries, 10-14 December

Thomas Tompion, London - An important gold pair cased quarter repeating Verge watch, 1708-1709, no. 307
Est. £150,000-250,000 / €169,000-281,000 / $184,000-306,000

London, 30 November 2016 - Following the success of the first two parts of “Celebration of the English Watch” which set a series of records for a number of antique watches and watchmakers, the most important private collection of English watches returns to Sotheby’s London on 15 December with a sale celebrating the genius of Thomas Tompion (1639-1713), the father of English watch- and clockmaking.

The sale is led by an exceptional group of watches by Thomas Tompion and other leading makers who were active in the “Golden Age” of English Horology (John Knibb, Henry Jones, Daniel Quare and George Graham). The 61 lots on offer also brilliantly trace the evolution of watchmaking, from the early 17th to the early 20th centuries.

Commenting on the forthcoming sale, Daryn Schnipper, Chairman of Sotheby’s Watch Division, said: “English horology is set apart by its brilliant makers and Thomas Tompion is without any doubt one of the most illustrious among them. This is one of the finest collections of British watches ever assembled, both in
terms of quality and scope, and this sale is an exciting opportunity for collectors to acquire not only remarkable early watches, but also pieces of history. As with the two previous sales, this auction charts all key periods of British watchmaking, from a 1610 watch by George Smith, through to a Charles Frodsham chronograph made in 1902 to the order of J. Pierpont Morgan.”

THOMAS TOMPION & HIS CONTEMPORARIES

Thomas Tompion was the greatest influencer of Britain’s horological supremacy. From the mid-1670s until his death in 1713, he was London’s principal maker, highly respected by the rest of the trade and patronised by royalty and society’s elite. The sale features five timepieces by Tompion, including timepiece watches, repeating watches and a very rare alarm watch, which represent each type of his watches, apart from the clockwatches.

Among them is an important gold pair cased quarter repeating verge watch 1708-1709, no. 307 (lot 14, est. £150,000-250,000 / €169,000-281,000 / $184,000-306,000, illustrated p.1). This very special watch is not only one of the very few complete examples of his gold pair cased quarter repeaters to survive, it also appears to be the earliest recorded watch by any maker in its original hallmarked cases to have pierced ruby bearings with diamond endstones to the top and bottom pivots of the balance staff.

18TH-CENTURY WATCHES

In addition to the group of watches produced by Thomas Tompion and his contemporaries, the sale is distinguished by an outstanding selection of 18th - century watches, some of which have exquisite chased cases and others, wonderful enamel work.

William Anthony (1765-1844) is especially famous for his magnificent and elaborate oval watches made for the Chinese market. A very rare example can be found in a magnificent 8-day gold, enamel, split-pearl and diamond-set duplex watch, circa 1800, no. 1931 (lot 40, est. £150,000-200,000/ €169,000-225,000 / $184,000-245,000)

19TH AND 20TH-CENTURY WATCHES

The selection of 19th and 20th century watches is highlighted by a Charles Frodsham tourbillion, minute repeating and split seconds chronograph made in 1902 to the order of J. Pierpont Morgan for William Proctor Gould Harding (1864-1930) (lot 57, Est. £150,000-250,000 / €169,000-281,000 / $184,000-306,000). Charles Frodsham and his successors are the longest continuously-trading firm of chronometer manufacturers in the world, and are synonymous with precision timekeeping instruments of the highest quality, including watches, clocks, regulators and wristwatches. 

The ‘Morgan caliper’ watches were presentation pieces given by J. Pierpont and J. Pierpont Jnr. to close friends and/or new partners of the firm of JP Morgan, thus starting the long tradition of Frodsham presentation watches, perpetuated to this day. However, the complications included in this watch were reserved for those employees who were made partners at the firm. William Proctor Gould Harding was an American banker who was appointed to the Federal Reserve Board in 1914 and was Chairman of the board from 1916 to 1922. To date, some 25 of these watches are known. At the time of manufacture (made between 1897 and 1931), they were some of the most complicated and expensive English production watches available.

THE CELEBRATION OF THE ENGLISH WATCH

This landmark collection provides a snapshot of British history through the pocket watch. It also traces the supremacy of England at pivotal moments of horological history.

Inspired by passion and curiosity, the collection is the culmination of years of searching for the best examples in wondrous condition with superb provenance. The English watchmakers represented read as a Who’s Who of British Horological giants, including David Ramsay, Edward East, Thomas Tompion, John Ellicott, Thomas Mudge, John Arnold, George Margetts, the Vuillamys, Victor Kullberg, Charles Frodsham through to the 20th century horological icon, George Daniels. Each is world renowned for their groundbreaking advancements and for leaving their indelible mark on the history of British horology. Equally, extraordinary watches with exquisite decoration are found in the collection and pay tribute to the finest engravers, chasers, and enamellers working in England.

The fourth and last part in the sale series will take place in July 2017 and be dedicated to the oeuvre of “George Daniels, 20th Century Innovator”.