The history of time is intimately linked to that of mankind with the earliest sundials found in Egypt dating to 1500BC. As man and societies evolved so too did technology and innovation with the first known pocket watches dating to the 15th century. In 1462 Italian clockmaker Bartholomew Manfredi made reference to a “pocket clock” in a letter to the Marchese di Mantova, and by 1526 Peter Henlein a master locksmith was regularly manufacturing spring driven pocket watches. The history of horology follows a logical mechanical pathway from town clock towers calling villagers to work or pray, to standing clocks for homes of aristocratics, followed by smaller table and mantel clocks, to the gentleman’s pocket watch of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The present hunter case minute repeating chronograph pocket watch is a lovely example produced at the turn of the century. The keyless lever movement strikes the hours, quarters, and minutes when activated through the slide in the band, and with a growing interest in leisure time, the watch features a chronograph for recording time. The white enamel dial, with Roman numerals, is well-preserved and protected by the double hinged case. While pocket watches are no longer fashionable for daily use, all watch collectors should own a few very fine examples. Not only are they part of the history of time, but also like this lot examples of fine craftsmanship, and mechanical innovation.