The Celebration of the English Watch: Part IV George Daniels Twentieth Century Innovator

THE CELEBRATION OF THE

ENGLISH WATCH

PART IV: GEORGE DANIELS TWENTIETH CENTURY INNOVATOR

LONDON 6 JULY 2017

George Daniels, Spring Detent Tourbillon Watch (Lot 78) Estimate: £250,000 - 350,000

London, 24 June 2017 - The most important private collection of English watches ever to come to the market returns to Sotheby's London this July with the much anticipated final instalment of The Celebration of the English Watch series. Taking place on 6 July, Part IV: George Daniels: Twentieth Century Innovator is dedicated to the oeuvre of the seminal watchmaker of our time and will encapsulate English watch making from the middle of the 17th century to the 1970s. From the smallest English pocket chronometer ever made to one of the largest English coach watches in existence, the sale features timepieces which have pushed the boundaries of horology, culminating in George Daniels, and one of only 23 pocket watches he ever created.

Speaking ahead of the sale, Joanne Lewis, Head of Sotheby's London Watch Department, said, "It is not possible to overstate the importance of George Daniels' contribution to horology. Despite having only ever made a relatively small number of timepieces in his lifetime, Daniels' work and his legacy continue to be critical to the craft of watchmaking. Culminating in Daniels, this sale shows just how horologists through the ages have pushed the boundaries of their craft, making the finest of adjustments to improve the accuracy, performance and appearance of each timepiece. We have been honoured to be able to offer such a rare and exceptional range of timepieces through The Celebration of the English Watch series, and we are confident that this final instalment is the best yet."

GEORGE DANIELS

George Daniels is widely considered the greatest watchmaker of the 20th century. Recognising the threat posed by the emergence of the Quartz watch in the 1970s, Daniels was responsible for single-handedly preserving the mechanical watch, even giving horology its most significant development in 250 years with the creation of his co-axial escapement. As well as writing the seminal book on watchmaking, Daniels established the George Daniels Educational Trust to which he bequeathed his entire estate on his death, with the objective of supporting a new generation of young horologists.

Leading the sale will be the George Daniels Spring Detent Tourbillon Watch (Lot 78). Made in 1970, this gold twin barrel one minute tourbillon pocket watch with spring detent chronometer escapement and retrograde hour hand is a wonderful example of an early watch made by Daniels. Improving the spring detent escapement invented by Thomas Earnshaw, Daniels altered the geometry of the mechanism to create a self-starting watch meaning there was no longer a need to shake the watch to start it. Made for English Conservative party politician, Edward Hornby, the watch is accompanied by a hand written letter from George Daniels and is offered with an estimate of

£250,000 - 350,000.

The sale will feature a number of superb examples of early watchmaking. A very rare silver hour striking coach watch made by Edward East, circa 1655 (Lot 2) ornately pierced and engraved with flowers and foliage, both on the movement and the case, is offered with an estimate of £30,000 - 50,000. The leading horologist of his day, East was chief clockmaker to King Charles II.

Another early example dating from the mid-17th century is a superb silver astronomical verge watch, made by Benjamin Hill, estimate £50,000 - 70,000 (Lot 3). Preserved in outstanding condition, this rare astronomical watch has a skilfully and clearly arranged dial and a leather outer case intricately decorated with silver piqué work. Previously in the collection of George Daniels, this exquisite watch is further distinguished by its excellent provenance.

The sale includes exceptional timepieces by makers renowned for their innovation having continually pushed the boundaries of horology.

A 1756 coach watch by Walter Partrige (Lot 23) is the largest piece offered in the sale and is one of only a handful of English watches of comparable size known to have been created. With an outer case measuring 200mm, it is an outstanding watch of monumental proportions, overwhelming in the scale and detail of its execution. The watch's middle case features a fine silver

repoussé scene depicting the Adoration of the Magi - a suitable subject for a 'coach' or travelling watch'. This magnificent and visually striking watch is offered with an estimate of £150,000 - 250,000.

In direct contrast to Partrige's coach watch is an astonishingly small timepiece, measuring 26.5mm in diameter, believed to be the smallest English pocket chronometer with a spring detent escapement and up-and-down power reserve indication, ever made (Lot 65, estimate: £20,000 - 30,000). Created by John McLennan in 1861, the exceptionally rare miniature gold open-faced pocket chronometer was probably made for the 1862 International Exhibition held in South Kensington, London, and is engraved with the exhibition details.

Another highlight of the sale will be an exceptionally handsome gold pair cased pocket chronometer made by Thomas Earnshaw. Dated 1801 and offered for sale with an estimate of £20,000 - 30,000, the watch illustrates the excellent quality and finish that the maker lavished on his finest watches. The watch features a spring indent escapement, a mechanism invented by Earnshaw and subsequently used by watchmakers, such as George Daniels, including in his Spring Detent Tourbillon Watch (Lot 78) offered in the sale.

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 Vulliamys, Victor Kullberg, Charles Frodsham through to the 20th century horological icon, George Daniels. Each is world renowned for their ground- breaking 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.

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*Estimates do not include buyer's premium and prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium.

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