Launch of the Website – November 2014

This is the biannual post bringing news of scientific instruments and other interesting information relating to our site.

From Sotheby’s 2013 an astronomical table clock from Augsburg Germany which sold for around £160,000.

From Sotheby’s October 2014 a royal astrolabe dedicated to Sultan Bayezid II (r.1481-1512) fetched £1M.

At Dreweatts & Bloomsbury, Donnington Priory August 2014, a very rare antiquarian German Renaissance gilt brass astronomical monstrance table clock case originally fitted with a Universal Astrolabe In the manner of Jeremiah Metzger, Augsburg, circa 1570; realised at £3500 (disappointing?…)

The result of Bonhams Edinburgh’s recent October clock sale.

Much activity at the two scientific instrument sales at Dorotheum this year, May and October.

Not quite antiquarian but  this beautiful watch by Patek Philippe – The Grandmaster Chime – was created for the the 175th anniversary of the firm.

Following on from the above two pieces the recent Sotheby’s special auction on November 11th in Geneva featured the famous 1933 Henry Graves Supercomplication astronomical pocket watch delivered by Patek Philippe: sold for around £16M.

Christie’s had a sale two days before Sotheby’s, again in Geneva, and  dedicated to Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary. The auction featured the 1930’s watch retailed by Cartier and owned by William E. Boeing; it realised only $500,000 from the expected $800,000 , this thought to be due to  dial and case restoration issues.

A rare opportunity to see all five of Harrison’s celebrated timekeepers together at the National Maritime Museum’s exhibition until January 4th 2015.

Two nice London regulators were sold at the Bonham’s Fine Clocks sale in December.