• Movement: gilded full plate, cylinder escapement, applied central reserve highly decoratively engraved with scrolling foliage, decoratively pierced and engraved balance bridge, ruby endstone, regulation plate with Turkish numerals, fusee and chain to the going train, standing barrel to the quarter striking train with two steel hammers acting to a bell on the inside of the case, standing barrel to the alarm train, pump quarter repeating, signed Thomas Grignon, London, no. 2035, gilt-metal dust cap signed Markwick Markham, Recordon London, no. 7218
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, two subsidiary dials for alarm time and seconds, gold spade hour and minute hands, signed Recordon, London
• Cases: silver inner, the band pierced for sound emission and decorated with roundels centred with a flower alternating with sheaves, the back with symmetrically arranged circular engraved decoration, large pendant and stirrup bow, strike/silent lever beneath bezel between 7 and 8 o'clock • outer case tortoiseshell with pierced silver roundels for sound emission alternating with pin work decoration, the back centred with a silver panel with apertures for winding trains with engraved instructions, integrated stand to base
• Box: later Adam Revival rosewood box with decorative brass inlay of flowers and foliage, gilded aperture for time display, fitted inner tier lined with velvet and removing to reveal inner compartment

With winding key and key for wooden box.

Movement running at time of cataloguing, repeating, quarter strike and alarm all sounding. Dial with hair line cracks and a chip to the edge by 3 o'clock. Inner case in good condition. Tortoiseshell case with 3 or 4 cracks but otherwise good overall. Some cracks to veener of the wooden box, some areas of loss to the beading, scratches to base. Lock to wooden box operational.
"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."

An impressive and large coach watch, this is a highly unusual piece on account of its integral, four-legged stand. The stand allows the watch to be used as a clock and would have been entirely suited to travelling - the bow allowing it to be hung in one’s carriage, the stand for use in one’s accommodation.

The serial number 2035 is very high in Thomas Grignion’s known series and it is therefore possible that the movement was part of his effects when he died in 1784. It is not surprising, bearing in mind Markwick Markham’s strong association with the Middle Eastern markets, that the watch has 'Turkish' numerals on the regulator. Recordon’✤s partnership with Markwick Markham is recorded. The fact that the dial has Roman rather than Turkish numerals suggests that the final order for the watch was made by an English or European customer for whom the dial was fitted.

Louis Recordon (active 1778-1824) worked initially in Greek Street, Soho and later, in 1797, he succeeded to Josiah Emery's business at 33 Cockspur Street, Charing Cross. Thomas Grignion (1713-1784) was the son of Daniel Grignion (c.1684-1763) who arrived in England from France around 1688. In his book, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, Brian Loomes notes that the Grignions were recorded as "finishers to the late Mr Daniel Quare at t🌸he Kings Arms and Dia﷽l in Russel Street, Covent Garden" (see op. cit. p.267).