William Dutton, London SOLD

Clockmaker: William Dutton, London

SOLD

A rare miniature travelling wall timepiece with alarm. The brass breakarch dial signed on a silvered plaque Wm Dutton London to the arch with silvered chapter ring having lozenge half hour marks and blued steel hand. The matted centre with large silvered alarm setting disc. The 30 hour movement with original verge escapement and short bob pendulum, the alarm striking on a bell above the plates enclosed within brass shutters with integral suspension loop and wall spurs below.

Date c 1780

Height 4 3/4 ins ( 12 cm)

For a similar example see The Tom Scott Collection. Inventory no. 21

William Dutton, the head of the family, served his apprenticeship under the famous George Graham in 1738 and finished his apprenticeship in 1746 when he became a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. In the 1750's he became a partner withThomas Mudge, another apprentice of George Graham, at 148 Fleet Street, London. This address was used by the Dutton family for several generations. In 1771 Thomas Mudge moved to Plymouth while William continued running the London business. William entered the Livery of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1766. About 1790, William took his sons into partnership and traded as W. Dutton & Sons, London.