93rd Auction
2016/5/14
Lot 409
William Hardy, Clerkenwell, London, Movement No. 604, 55 mm, 181 g, circa 1817
A gentleman's interesting precision pocket watch with duplex escapement with ruby roller and signature of the first owner "Thos HART, Greenock, 1818"
Case: 18k gold, case maker's punch mark "IN" (probably James Norvill, London). Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, keywind, chain/fusee heavy bimetallic "Pennington" chronometer balance with 10 screws, unusual Bosely type regulator.
William Hardy, Clerkenwell, London, a noted maker of very good watches, chronometers with his own balance, of which an example is in the British Museum, and a regulator with his own escapement and compensated pendulum, for which he was awarded a prize by the Society of Arts in 1820.
This watch has an unusual shape of index which is strongly reminiscent of those used in watches retailed by Vulliamy, as is the screw held stud, and the Pennington-type screw adjusted balance is a particularly early example. It should also be noted that Greenock was a most important part of the Port of Glasgow at this period, so such an advanced watch would make sense if Thomas Hart was involved in shipping of any sort.
A gentleman's interesting precision pocket watch with duplex escapement with ruby roller and signature of the first owner "Thos HART, Greenock, 1818"
Case: 18k gold, case maker's punch mark "IN" (probably James Norvill, London). Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, keywind, chain/fusee heavy bimetallic "Pennington" chronometer balance with 10 screws, unusual Bosely type regulator.
William Hardy, Clerkenwell, London, a noted maker of very good watches, chronometers with his own balance, of which an example is in the British Museum, and a regulator with his own escapement and compensated pendulum, for which he was awarded a prize by the Society of Arts in 1820.
This watch has an unusual shape of index which is strongly reminiscent of those used in watches retailed by Vulliamy, as is the screw held stud, and the Pennington-type screw adjusted balance is a particularly early example. It should also be noted that Greenock was a most important part of the Port of Glasgow at this period, so such an advanced watch would make sense if Thomas Hart was involved in shipping of any sort.
Sold
estimated
3.500—5.000 €
Price realized
4.000 €