LONDON.- Bonhams Watches and Wristwatches sale yesterday, 11 May 2023, saw exceptional results with the significant single-owner collection of exquisite 17th and 18th century pocket watches from the prestigious T.P. Camerer Cuss collection taking the limelight.

The top selling lot was an exceptional Joseph Martineau, fine and rare gold, and ruby set key wind triple case pocket watch with a shagreen outer case, circa 1760, with 441 individually set rubies forming a radiating circle to the back and bezel of the middle case and further decoration to the white enamel dial. The pocket watch surpassed its pre-sale estimate to achieve £48,180.

The 260-lot sale made a total of £894,227 with 87% sold by lot and 94% sold by value.

Penelope Andrews, Bonhams Head of Watches in London, said: “It was a privilege to have sold such a significant collection of early pocket watches from the esteemed Camerer Cuss collection in the Knightsbridge sale. The timepieces were truly works of art; transcending from being simply a watch into exceptional decorative pieces.”

Other highlights include:

•A Jan Berninck, rare 18K gold key wind triple case quarter repeating pocket watch, circa 1740. The watch features exceptional repoussé depicting the Adoration of the Magi from the gospel of Matthew 2:11. The pocket watch achieved £22,950, above the pre-sale estimate.

•A William Snow fine and rare silver and leather key wind pair case pocket watch with pin decoration. The watch, circa 1670, has a silver dial with a central engraved rosette, and the decorative pin work on the back of the leather covered outer case features exuberant floral designs. The watch achieved £21,675, over the pre-sale estimate.

•A fine and rare 18K gold and gilt metal key wind quarter repeating pair case pocket watch by esteemed maker, Thomas Tompion. Tompion was known for his exceptional designs and high society patrons, creating arguably some of the greatest clocks in the world. The watch, circa 1709, represents an important quarter repeating watch of the highest quality, it is one of the earliest surviving with jewelled bearings and diamond end stones for the balance, complete with a beautiful watch dial featuring a central cherub and garland cartouche design. The timepiece was made for Mary, Duchess of Montagu (1689-1751). The cypher on the outer case ‘MM’ below the coronet confirms this connection and is believed to be one of three watches Tompion made for a female. The watch achieved £25,500, above the pre-sale estimate.