Lot 375

George Graham, London, Movement No. 5793, Case No. 5793, 58 mm, 124 g, circa 1738
An English gold pair-cased cylinder pocket watch with enamel dial of one of the most famous English watchmakers
Case: 22k gold, case maker's punch mark "IW", signed movement protection cap. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee, three-arm steel balance.
George Graham (1673-1751) began his apprenticeship with Henry Aske in 1688, who he stayed with even after being admitted to the Freedom of the Clockmakers Company. From 1695 to 1711 Graham worked for Thomas Tompion; Graham and Tompion then became partners and after Tompions death Graham continued the business in London's Fleet Street as his successor. One of England's most eminent clockmakers, Graham was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1721, a Member of the Council in 1722, and finally became Master of the Clockmakers Company. His greatest achievements were the deadbeat escapement in 1715, the mercury pendulum in 1726, and in 1725 his enhancements to the cylinder escapement which gave it its present form. Only two watch- and clockmakers - George Graham and Thomas Tompion - were honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey.

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