William Dutton, London

Clockmaker: William Dutton, London

SOLD

Fine and unusual George III spring timepiece. Circa 1770

Case

Elegant proportioned mahogany break arch case having three raised pads with concave mouldings to the break arch case with earlier style brass carrying handle, arched side panels within moulded frames. The breakarch door with moulded frame dial aperture, the base on mahogany moulded block feet.

Dial

6 1/2 inch break arch brass dial with gilt rococo spandrels, subsidiary regulation dial calibrated 0-60 to the arch and blued steel hand. Strike/silent selector above XII. Silvered chapter with false pendulum aperture signed Wm. Dutton, London above calendar aperture. Roman and Arabic numerals. Lever at IX to open the shuttered winding hole. Original blued steel hands.

Movement

The exceptional movement with thick plates and five large baluster pillars. Anchor escapement and a unique state-of-wind feature with a winding shutter that automatically opens when the clocks is ready to be wound. Original pendulum having a heavy brass faced bob is suspended from the pivoted regulation platform mounted on top of the plates. The plain backplate is signed Willm. Dutton London with a hinged pendulum holdfast below.

Height. 15 inches (38 cm)

Thomas Mudge and William Dutton both served their apprenticeships under the famous George Graham, partner to Thomas Tompion. In circa 1765 Mudge and Dutton became partners at 148 Fleet Street, London. Thomas Mudge developed the Lever Escapement for use in watches and is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential watch and clock makers of the period. In 1770, William Dutton carried on the business in London when Thomas Mudge moved to Plymouth for health reasons and to concentrate on his chronometer project. William Dutton and Thomas Mudge both died in 1794.