the silvered dial engraved with the monogram of Don Agustín Maria Muñoz y de Borbon, 1st Duke of Tarancón, the surround engraved with foliate scrolls and flowers and signed C F Hancock, London, the gong striking movement with eight-pointed star striking wheel, separate backplates for the going and striking trains, ratchet tooth lever platform escapement with plain steel balance mounted on the inside of the front plate, the rectangular case engraved with foliate scrolls and with applied coronet below the suspension bow, the reverse engraved C F Hancock as successor of Storr & Mortimer's by appointment to HM Queen Adelaide and HIM the Emperor of Russia, 39 Bruton Street, London, with strut and turnbuckle foot

Dial and hands in perfect condition. Movement is complete and would run at time of cataloguing but would benefit from a clean and fresh oil. Case in generally very good condition, small bruise to top right of front, gilding slightly rubbed to corners, some light scratching around the winding holes. With later winder and hands key.
"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."

Agustín Muñoz, 1st Duke of Tarancón was born in 1837, the eldest son of Maria Christina, Regent of Spain and her morganatic husband, Agustín Fernando Muñoz, a former member of the Royal guard. Despite their exile in France from 1840, Maria Christina and her family returned to Spain in 1843 and in 1847 the ten year old Agustín was given the title Duke of Tarancón. In 1849 he was further given the title Vizconde de Rostrollano. He died at his mother's home, Chateau de Malmaison near Paris, in 1855 at the age of eighteen.

Thomas Cole (1800-1864), was born in Nether Stowey, Somerset, the son of a clockmaker and his full family history can be found in Thomas Cole & Victorian Clockmaking by John B Hawkins, 1975.

Charles Frederick Hancock had been a partner in the renowned firm of London silversmiths, Hunt & Roskell, between 1843 and 1849.  In January 1849 Hancock left the partnership and set up on his own at 39 Bruton Street where he described himself as a successor of Storr & Mortimer, a business that had been dissolved in 1838 and eventually became Hunt & Roskell. The relationship between Cole and Hancock is described in detail by Hawkins op. cit.

This unsigned and un-numbered example is most interesting as it can dated precisely to 1849. Hancock moved to this address in January 1849 and Queen Adelaide died on 2nd December 1849. Un-numbered clocks by Cole were sold by Hunt & Roskell and this clock has all of the early characteristics of a clock dating to circa 1845. Direct comparisons can be made with items 4 & 5 in Hawkins op. cit. p.52-57. However, it is known that Cole left some his clocks un-finished so that the dials could be engraved with monograms. It is certainly possi✤ble that this example was not completed u♏ntil 1849 when it was commissioned for presentation to the twelve year old Duke.