Pocket Watch Made For King James in 1613 Heads to Auction
The royal oval watch with an astronomical dial was commissioned by King James VI around 1613 and made by David Ramsay, the chief clockmaker to the King.
The silver and gilt timepiece, which features an engraved miniature portrait of the monarch inside the case, was later presented by Queen Anne to Lady Elizabeth Russell, her maid of honour, and has remained in the same family for the last three centuries. One of only three known surviving examples commissioned at the same time, it was placed on long-term loan to the British Museum in 1961 and then lent to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), where it remained until this year. Indeed, the watch has mostly been on display in museums over recent decades rather than in their possession.
Thanks to its “exceptional rarity and distinguished royal provenance”, it has been valued at £250,000 - £350,000 ($330,000 - $460,000), but it could achieve a lot more. A similar watch made by Ramsay for King James VI fetched nearly £1 million when it went under the hammer in 2015.
Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams’ global head of watches, said the sale in December presented “a truly unique opportunity to acquire a remarkable piece of history and one of the most sought-after early watchmaking creations”. He added: “We are delighted to present this extraordinary David Ramsay pocket watch, a remarkable survivor from the earliest history of horology. Its exceptional craftsmanship, royal provenance and profound historical royal significance, place it among the most compelling early timepieces to come to market."
Click to enlarge | Images credit: Saltire News
The finely engraved fire-gilt dial features silvered chapter rings displaying the hours and date, alongside apertures indicating the day, lunar phase and moon date, and planetary weekday, with elegant blue-steel pointers. In the inner lid is an engraved portrait of King James VI by Simon De Passe, while the case was decorated by Gérard de Heck, who concealed his inscription “de Heck Sculp” on the case back.
The case features biblical scenes from Luke Chapter 10, the royal coat of arms of King James and the royal motto “Beati Pacifici” meaning “Blessed are the peacemakers”.
James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 1566 - 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from July 1567, and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns from March 1603, until his death in 1625.
