LONDON.- Highlights from one of the most important collections of timepieces remaining in private hands were unveiled at Sotheby’s in London yesterday. Chronicling the history of watchmaking from the Renaissance through to the present day and embracing each of the European epicentres of the watchmaking industry over time, this extraordinary collection of over 800 long-unseen pieces – unparalleled in its scope and comprehensiveness - will be offered in four dedicated sales at various locations (London, Geneva, New York and Hong Kong between July 2019 and October 2020).

Put together over a life-time dedicated to seeking out the best examples of their kind, Masterworks of Time encompasses all the ground-breaking technological and artistic innovations of the last 500 years: from early watches with German ‘stackfreeds’, to double dialled astronomical timepieces, superb enamels, form watches, musical and automata pieces, tourbillons, and complicated timepieces.

Similarly, the watchmakers represented read as a ‘Who’s Who’ of international horological giants, including A. Lange & Söhne, Abraham Louis Breguet, Dent, Ferdinand Berthoud, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Joehan Cremsdorff and Frères Rochat, through to the twentieth century horological legend, George Daniels. Each is renowned for their ground-breaking innovations and for leaving their indelible mark on the history of horology.

While watches undoubtedly represent the core of the collection, the collector’s interest in the history of timekeeping also led him to acquire an important group of clocks, spanning almost four hundred years and with emphasis on the Renaissance. From the simplest mid-16th century anonymous French timepiece to the highly advanced and complicated masterpiece clock of the early 18th century by Johan Peter Mayr, the variety of clocks brilliantly illustrates the rise of the domestic clock.

Put together over the past 50 years, this historic collection is estimated to realise £11-20m / $15-27m. The first of the four dedicated auctions, to take place in London on 2nd July 2019, will include some 160 rare and important examples of the craft, headlined by the legendary George Daniels Space Traveller I. The following day, Sotheby’s Treasures sale, will include a further selection from the collection.

GEORGE DANIELS, VISIONARY, LONDON, 2 JULY 2019

A gold watch with Daniels’ Independent double-wheel escapement Mean-solar and Sidereal-time Age & Phase of the moon and Equation of Time indications, Diameter 62 mm. Est. $900,000 - 1.2 million / £700,000- 1 million
George Daniels, the pre-eminent horologist of the 20th century, completed the Space Traveller I in 1982 to commemorate the 1969 American moon landing - an event that left a great impression on his life. The watch was described by Daniels as “the kind of watch you would need on your package tour to Mars”.

Widely regarded as the greatest watchmaker of the 20th century, Daniels is internationally recognised for his many contributions to the horological world, working entirely alone to create his exceptional watches and serving as an inspiration to numerous young aspiring independent watchmakers today.

Daniels made a mere 23 pocket watches during his life time, and of them all it is the Space Traveller that is the most revered. Described as ‘the most important English watch of modern times’ Space Traveller I is not only one of the most technically accomplished watches of all time, it is was also of enormous personal significance to Daniels, who treasured it and often wore it as a showpiece. In 1982, over dinner with a collector, he was persuaded to part with it – a decision he quickly regretted. In 1988, the watch appeared for sale at Sotheby’s in Geneva where made a then record CFH 220,000. Its appearance again now marks the first time the watch has been seen in public since then.

The Space Traveller was built with both solar and sidereal time, equation of time, and phases of the moon, as well as utilising Daniels’ famous independent double wheel escapement, which has captivated collectors since its inception in 1974. With this piece, Daniels created an extremely precise watch without the high number of wheels and trains normally necessary for precision timepieces.

[Prompted by seller’s remorse, soon after parting with the Space Traveller I, Daniels made a second version of the watch, Space Traveller II, made in 1982. That version sold at Sotheby’s in 2017 for £3.2m/$4.3m.]

A Milestone in Astronomical Horology

Margetts, London, No. 1, circa 1778
A gold and enamel pair cased astronomical watch with astrolabe dial, Diameter 58 mm. Est. $150,000-250,000 / £180,000- 220,000
George Margetts made several remarkable astronomical watches during his lifetime, and has remained a tremendous influence on watchmakers ever since, with George Daniels looking to him for inspiration when creating the legendary Space Traveller.

Purchased in the legendary 1999 Time Museum sale at Sotheby’s New York, this remains one of the bestpreserved examples of his excellent work. The Zodiac signs surround the constellations on the astrolabe dial, as well as the mean time, the age of the moon, and tide dials, and reference major ports in London. The outer case has an extremely well-preserved enamel scene of Urania, the Muse of astronomy. Little of Margetts’ work survives to this day, making it even more remarkable that this watch, likely one of the first of this type of watch that Margetts issued and sold, still exists in such superb condition today.

A Watch fit for an Emperor

William Anthony, London, No. 1898, circa 1797
An oval gold, enamel, pearl and diamond-set watch with fitted box and associated key/ Est. $89,000-133,600 / £69,000-103,600
This watch is a superb example of Anthony’s iconic design made for the Chinese market. In the 18th century, the British merchants enjoyed unparalleled access to the Chinese market through their trading posts. At first an object of curiosity, Swiss and European luxury timepieces became highly desired among the Chinese dignitaries under the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1796). Watchmakers, goldsmiths, painters on enamel and engravers worked together to create unique pieces for the Chinese market, as shown in this incredible piece.

A Masterpiece of the French Renaissance

A French Renaissance gilt-brass horizontal table clock, circa 1580
The brass and steel movement with verge and foliot escapement, the case finely engraved with mythological scenes in cartouches set on foliate and fruiting grounds inhabited by figures and animals, 9cm wide. Est. $20,000-30,000 / £17,000-25,000
Clockmaking in late 16th century France was geared as much to the decorative nature of the case as it was to timekeeping. In this example, the time dial is relatively small and mounted horizontally above the bell, whilst the case is finely and richly engraved and pierced in remarkable detail. The movement is controlled by the earliest form of escapement which was inherently inaccurate and, from new, would probably have required re-setting by sundial on a daily basis. Very few French renaissance clocks were signed by their makers and it is tantalising to wonder who might have created this anonymous example over four hundred years ago.

By an Augsburg Master
Johann Peter Mayr, Augsburg, circa 1720
A quarter striking astronomical masterpiece table clock movement and dials with astrolabic and calendar dials, the substantial movement with verge escapement and striking on two bells, 25cm high. Est. $30,000-55,000 / £25,000-40,000
This clock was made by Johann Peter Mayr in around 1720. Very little is known about Mayr: only one other piece by him – a watch dated 1740 – is known to exist. He was, though, a member of the Augsburg Clockmakers Guild, a clear testimony to his skill. Founded in 1564, the Augsburg Clockmakers Guild strictly controlled the making of clocks and watches in the city. An apprentice would train for an initial three years, followed by three to four year working as a journeyman before applying to the Guild to make a Masterpiece. An Augsburg Masterpiece clock had to be made within six months to an exacting specification demonstrating the skill and art of the clockmaker. The clock was then presented to the Guild and, if approved, the clockmaker was permitted to trade in the City.

The remarkable clock movement and dials were made following the revision of the specification in 1703 to allow for the inclusion of pendulum regulation.

TREASURES, LONDON, 3 JULY 2019

An Early Masterpiece of Enamel Work
Joehan Cremsdorff, Paris, circa 1650
A Highly Important gold, enamel, and diamond-set watch, the case enamel in the manner of the Blois school combines techniques of champlevé, en relief, and peinture en camaieu, with matching crank key, Diameter 60 mm. Est. $900,000 - 1.2 million / £700,000- 1 million
When this watch last appeared at auction in 1986, it took collectors by storm, soaring to CHF 1 million – then the highest price for any pocket watch ever sold at auction. A masterpiece of enamel work, this it beautifully combines the artistic diversity of enamel techniques. The style of painting in enamel on enamel ground (known as Blois-style enamelwork) is extremely rare. The high level of artistry is reflected not only by the number of different enamel techniques, but also the high level at which they are executed. No more than five pieces entirely enamelled in this particular turquoise blue are known today, and the extraordinary attention to detail and richness of this watch makes it one of the most important examples to have surfaced in years. The incomparable craftsmanship of Cremsdorff’s work makes this piece one of the most exceptional pieces on the market today.

An Art Deco Masterpiece

Vacheron Constantin, circa 1926
A rock crystal, coral, mother of pearl and black onyx portico timepiece, in the form of a Chinese temple portico, the octagonal dial inlaid with dragons and flaming pearls amidst billowing clouds, the bezel with diamond-set numerals, signed Vacheron Constantin and retailed by Linzeler & Marchak, 19cm. high. Est. $270,000-450,000 / £250,000-400,000
This wonderful jewel-like timepiece is one of the finest examples of the collaboration between Swiss watchmakers Vacheron Constantin and the Parisian retailers Linzeler and Marchak. Although unsigned, the case is almost certainly by Verger Fréres, who worked closely with and were the Paris representatives of Vacheron Constantin between 1880 and 1930.

The symmetry of the case combined with the use of hardstones perfectly frames the inlaid dial with its diamond-set numerals. The Chinese theme of the case was the height of fashion in Paris in the 1920s and is just a chic today. Almost certainly unique, this timepiece crosses the many boundaries of horology, design, jewellery and craftsmanship.

ADOLF LANGE, THE GOLDEN ERA OF GLASHÜTTE, GENEVA, NOVEMBER 2019

The Most Important Watch Made by A. Lange & Söhne
Lange & Söhne, Glashütte B/Dresden, No. 41000, 1900 Made for the 1900 Paris World Exhibition Symbolising the Dawn of the 20th Century

A platinum, pink gold and enamel hunting cased one minute tourbillon pocket chronometer with up-down indication, Diameter 59 mm. Est. $900,000 - 1.2 million / £700,000- 1 million
The A. Lange & Söhne No. 41000 stands out as an exceptional highlight of the collection. Considered the firm’s masterpiece, it combines several cutting-edge mechanical and decorative applications, and established the firm as a horological force in the late 19th century. Not only is this timepiece one of the most important watches by A.Lange & Söhne, it also holds great historical significance; Emile Lange wore and exhibited this piece when he served as a jurist in the 1900 Paris World Exposition.

Produced in Glashütte - often considered the birthplace of the modern German watchmaking industry - the watch unites the mechanical and artistic talents of the region. A superb one minute Tourbillon with 30 hour up and down indication and pivoted detent escapement is here combined with a masterful painted enamel that – with its emblems of wisdom, arts and science – captures the excitement of the dawn of a new era of technological and scientific advancements, all crowned by the idea (in the form of Minerva and her laurel wreath) that peace and progress make happy partners; an idea that, just over a decade later, proved to be sadly misguided.

One of only fourteen Tourbillons made by Lange & Söhne, this extraordinary watch has not been seen since it last appeared at auction in 1990.

ABRAHAM LOUIS BREGUET, HOROLOGIST EXTRAORDINAIRE, NEW YORK, JUNE 2020

Abraham Louis Breguet, no. 2574, completed in 1812 and sold by Breguet in 1816

An Oversized Silver Six Minute Tourbillonwith Peto Cross Beat escapement, made for Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane Bart, Diameter 80 mm. Est. $270,000-450,000 / £250,000-400,000
This six-minute tourbillon has not been seen on the market since it was sold in the Sotheby’s New York 1986 Time Museum sale. Breguet began construction on this piece in 1810 and sold it to Scottish soldier and astronomer Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane Bart in 1816. The buyer also served as governor of New South Wales in Australia before establishing an astronomical observatory in 1822. Important magnetic observations began at his observatory in Makerstoun, which earned him the Keith Prize at the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1848. He became a baronet in 1836 and general in 1841, and was elected president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh following the death of Sir Walter Scott. An inscription on the watch indicates that Sir Thomas Brisbane gifted this to Colin Lamont Jr. Esq., as “testimony of his sincere esteem and regard” in 1856.

This piece demonstrates Breguet’s exemplary technological genius and is in exceptional condition.

EXPORTS FOR EASTERN MARKET, HONG KONG, OCTOBER 2020

Ilbery, London, circa 1820

A gold and enamel open faced watch with scene of a Chinese Junk Made for the Chinese Market, Diameter 58 mm. Est. 45,000-65,000 / £30,000-50,000
The exquisitely rendered enamelled scene on this piece depicts a Chinese River Junk boat sailing in the famous Canton Bay with the landmark nine story pagoda rising in the background on the Island of Whampoa. Canton Bay was a historically important port as it was the last stop for deep draught ships on their trading routes, making it truly a cross roads for Eastern and Western culture. This particular scene is of the deep-water port at Whampoa Island, where foreign merchants paid taxes and unloaded their wares, which were then ferried by sampan to Canton. European factories called “hongs” stretch across the right side of the river and served as offices for the European businessmen who traded with the East.

The watch is signed Ilbery, who produced exceptional luxury watches for the Chinese Market, and deeply influenced the style of European watches made for the Asian Market. The finely engraved movement and freestanding barrel seen in this piece is a testament to Ilbery’s artistic and technical prowess and clearly displays how his work influenced other prominent makers throughout Europe.