David Bouquet, London A rare silver clock-watch with alarm C...

Hammer

£27,000

David Bouquet, London
A rare silver clock-watch with alarm
Circa 1660-1665.

The 8cm diameter gilt-brass dial has a silver chapter ring read from a tulip-shaped blued steel hour hand on the engraved silver alarm disc.
The gilt-brass top plate is signed D Bouquet London with silver rosette-engraved countwheel and a similarly engraved mainspring silver disc and (later) balance wheel regulation disc, the balance cock is pierced and engraved and is now secured with a blued steel screw. The movement has gilt-brass circular plates secured by four engraved vase-shaped pillars, verge escapement, engraved going barrel for the strike train with a single steel hammer striking the hours on a large bell, a smaller spring barrel powers the alarm train.
The silver case has three shuttered winding holes in the base and the band is pierced and elaborately engraved with flower heads and a pair of hounds chasing a stag, the top and tail of the case is further engraved with a fine bearded man’s head. The outer tooled leather protecting case has a faded red velvet lining and brass fittings.

9cm. diameter silver case
10cm diameter outer protecting case

Provenance
By family repute the watch was originally owned by Sir Matthew Hale (1609-1676), and thence by descent through the same family to the present day. Matthew Hale was an influential barrister and judge who served throughout the reigns of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II. He was also a member of Parliament for Gloucestershire.

DAVID BOUQUET
David bouquet senior d. 1665 was an exceptional watchmaker of French heritage. He was admitted to the Clockmakers’ Company in 1632 and is recorded as being an Assistant to the Clockmakers’ Company until 1665. Examples of his watches exist in the British Royal Collection, the British Museum and the Clockmakers’ Company Collection, Science Museum.