• gilt full plate movement, pierced and engraved pinned on balance cock, plain steel balance, ratchet and click set-up, early Egyptian pillars with engraved decoration • highly engraved dial decorated with flowers, red Roman numerals with half and quarter divisions, blued steel hand • silver scallop shell-form case with polished ribs against a matte ground, shell-shaped shuttered winding cover to the rear, flower bud pendant • movement signed Richard Masterson fecit

Antiquorum Geneva, The Sandberg  Watch Collection, 31st March - 1st April 2001, lot 247

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch, 1585-1970. p. 64, pl.25

The movement is running at the time of cataloguing. Small areas of red wax lacking to the numerals but overall the dial is in very good condition. The case with light scuffs throughout but overall in excellent condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

This watch is in superb condition, with a beautifully engraved dial with richly shaded flower heads of large and more varied form to those found in the period before 1640. From shortly before 1640 through to 1650, engraved flowers and foliage became more naturalistic and tended to be more formally arranged with stems running south to north.  Later, during the 1650s, floral decoration became more free-flowing. The chapter ring is filled with red wax which provides a dramatic and appealing contrast to the rest of the dial and the shell-shaped winding shutter to the case back is charmingly scallop shaped to match the case itself. Few watches were made during the Civil War (1642-1651) and stylistically this watch would suggest a date around 1645. A comparable watch by Masterson was at one time part of the Nelthropp Collection and now in the permanent collection of the  Clockmakers' Museum. However, the present watch is much larger, measuring 53mm in length as compared to the example at the Clockmakers’, which measures 40mm in length.

Richard Masterson was a Free Brother of the Clockmakers’ Company in October 1633, he became a Warden from 1637 and was Master in 1642. It is thought that he died in December 1653. See: Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, 1981, p. 382.