Daniel Quare. A rare and early silver astronomical verge watch
Daniel Quare. A rare and early silver astronomical verge watch

SIGNED QUARE, LONDON, CIRCA 1700

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Daniel Quare. A rare and early silver astronomical verge watch
Signed Quare, London, circa 1700
Gilt-finished verge movement, chain fusée, finely pierced and engraved scroll and foliage decorated balance cock and foot, large three arm steel balance, vase-shaped pillars, chased gilt dial, three subsidiary dials with engraved silver rings indicating lunar age with inner engraved moon and star decoration, date and time, the latter with inner rosette decoration, three apertures for the signs of the zodiac, times of the day, days of the month and corresponding season, plain circular case, floral decorated bow, movement signed
54 mm. diam.

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拍品专文

The present watch is a fine example of an early astronomical watch, successor of the astronomical clocks and spheres made in 16th century Germany and France. Spheres were astronomical clocks on which, thanks to an ingenious device, one could follow the cycles of the stars and their passing through the different signs of the zodiac. The first sphere was made in 1504 by Julien Coudray of Blois, watchmaker of Louis XII and François I, table clocks with astronomical indications manufactured thereafter were common devices in the 16th century.

The first astronomical pocketwatch appeared in the early 17th century and is attributed to Anthoine Arlaud, made bourgeois of Geneva in 1617 and who trained in 1626, the French watchmaker Anthoine Dagoneau in the manufacture of "watches with alarm clocks and celestial movements".

In the years to follow, astronomical watches were further improved, the most complicated ones, such as the present watch, featuring a variety of indications, gaining enormous popularity particularly amongst Ottoman clients who ordered watches in, for the period, enormous quantities.

Examples of these exceptional timepieces can be found in the world's most important museums and collections, notably the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and London's Victoria & Albert Museum and the British Museum.

Daniel Quare (c1647 - 1724) was a contemporary of Thomas Tompion and one of England's most eminent watch and clock makers and the inventor of the repeating watch. He established himself at St. Martin Le Grand in London and became a Brother in the Clockmakers' Company in 1671 and Master in 1708.

F. J. Britten states in Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers: "Of the few horologists of Tompion's time who can be admitted as his peers, Daniel Quare was perhaps the most notable example".