Late 17thc. Tompion quarter repeater

A very rare quarter repeating watch, one of only about 400 complicated watches that Tompion produced, with a later dial and later gilt pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge escapement movement.

Signed Tho. Tompion, London and numbered 171.

Three finely made split tulip pillars and one baluster shaped. Pillar. Beautifully engraved winged balance cock, with foliage and scrolls. Good blued screws which appear to be original. The balance wheel has a reeded rim, a feature typical of Tompion’s work.

All in very good condition with just a few scratches around the pillar tops. Running well.

The repeating mechanism correctly strikes the hours on the bell which is screwed to the inside of the inner case. Nice clear strong chimes.

DIAL : A later white enamel dial and dial false plate.

In good condition, with a few light nibbles around the edge at 12 and 2, and a very light hairline from the centre towards the edge at 9.

Good blued steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Gilt brass case, pierced around the band, with makers mark WH (under the bell).

In good condition. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is good and the gilding is still present except for some wear to the stem and bow. The hinge is good and the bezel snaps shut.

The bell has been drilled twice, so probably replaced when the case was added.

OUTER CASE : Gilt brass case with case maker’s mark matching the inner.

Again in good condition throughout. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the bezel snaps shut. There is some wear to the gilding, especially to the centre of the back.

REFERENCE : This watch is listed in “Thomas Tompion 300 Years” by Jeremy Evans, Jonathan Carter & Ben Wright. This excellent book includes lists of movement serial numbers for Tompion.

This is a very rare watch. Of the approximately 400 complicated watches produced by the workshop, only about half are signed solely by Thomas Tompion (the others with Edward Banger or George Graham).

Thomas Tompion