• gilt full plate verge movement, balance cock set with an enamel portrait of a lady • silver dial, minute arc above the wandering hour aperture, bottom hemisphere with engraved war trophy centered by a portrait of King William III • plain inner case, plain outer case with square hinge • with possibly original outer leather case • movement signed

Movement running at time of cataloging, however not tested for the accuracy of time and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Case in fair condition, polished and worn, dents overall. Some repairs to the bow. Inner case with denting overall. Leather travel case latch broken, cracked and worn overall. Dial in good condition, minor wear and some scratches, patina to the edges and within the engravings. Movement with scratches, the enamel pendant with some pitting and loss to the top and edges, some chips.
"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."

Makers at the end of the 17th century were by no means wedded to the standard dial configuration of concentric hour and minute hands, which had become more universal.  As a result, some unusual dial designs were devised particularly by English watchmakers. During this period there were four principal variations of dial design: the six-hour dial, the wandering hour dial, the differential dial and the sun-and-moon dial.

In Watches, by Cecil Clutton and George Daniels, p.77, First Edition, 1965, the Authors write: “a peculiarity of the wandering hour watches is that nearly, if not quite all, surviving English specimens have a royal attribution, such as a royal portrait (James II, Mary, or Anne; no Charles II is known to the authors) on the dial; or the royal arms engraved on the cock; or both....These distinctions have never been explained, and are additionally mysterious since several makers produced the type, not all of whom held a royal ap𝓰pointment.  As one surviving example has the portrait of Queen Anne it is evident that what is, after all, a very sensible arrangement, continued in production well after the turn of the century."  For a detailed explanation of how the wandering hoꦗur dial works, Op. Cit. pp. 76-77.