circa 1910, outer cover with blue enamel Roman numerals and inner chemin de fer chapter ring around the circular glazed aperture, signed white dial, additionally marked '09380', with black Roman numerals, blued hands and subsidiary seconds register at 6H, gilt three-quarter plate crown wind mechanical movement with diamond end stone, top plate marked CHAS FRODSHAM BY APPOINTMENT TO THE KING 115 NEW BOND STREET LATE OF 84 STRAND LONDON NO 09380, the raised going barrel engraved with foliate decoration and hand setting button at 4H, case, 48mm diameter, interior with casemaker's mark of Harrison Mill Frodsham and London hallmarks for 18ct gold, numbered 009380, the cuvette similarly marked and additionally engraved TO ROBERT SINCLAIR FROM SIR VICTOR AND LADY HORSLEY IN GRATEFUL RECOLLECTION OF HIS PROMPT AND KIND ACTION ON THE 22ND AUGUST 1911, 115.7g gross, presented with a copy of the purchase receipt, analysis sheet from Charles Frodsham and rating certificate from June-July 1914

Provenance:

Purchased back by Charles Frodsham from a descendant of the Sinclair family, and subsequently sold to the present owner in 2014

Charles Frodsham was a distinguished English horologist, founding his business in the 1840s. From 1884, he traded as Charles Frodsham & Co, which remains in existence as the longest continuously trading firm of chronometer manufacturers in the world.

Lot 354 & 355: A ‘fine gold watch and albert’ presented for an act of bravery.

Sir Victor A.H. Horsley (1857-1916) was an accomplished scientist and professor, and the first neurosurgeon appointed to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. Known as 'the father of neurosurgery', he was the first surgeon in the world appointed to a hospital post as a 'brain surgeon'.

In August 1911 he was on holiday with his family in Rousay - one of the largest of the Orkney Islands - off the north coast of Scotland. His son, Siward Myles Horsley, who suffered from epilepsy, went fishing in a boat just offshore, but suffered a fit and fell overboard. The local newspaper - the 'Orcadian' - of Saturday August 26th, 1911, carried the following report on the incident:

'BOATING ACCIDENT AT ROUSAY - A serious boating accident occurred off Sourin, Rousay on Tuesday. From information to hand it appears that a son of Sir Victor Horsley was fishing from a small boat...when he fell into the sea. Fortunately, the accident was observed from the shore and a rescue party set off. By this time the young man had sunk, and it was only after some difficulty that he was picked up from the bottom. He was...in a serious condition...and was only restored after great difficulty’.

Two months later, the 'Orcadian' carried a further report:

BOATING ACCIDENT AT ROUSAY - Sir Victor Horsley has presented fine gold watches and alberts to the (two) boys who recently saved his son from drowning. The names of the boys are Alfred Hermisgarth and Robert Sinclair. The inscription on the watches is "To (name of recipient) from Sir Victor and Lady Horsley in grateful recollection of his prompt and kind action on 22nd August 1911"

Condition Report

Crystal - Complete. Some extremely minor scratches visible under reflected light

Dial - In good condition. No obvious signs of damage or cracking

Movement - In working order, though not tested for timekeeping or endurance. Hand adjusting button operational and the hands move freely in both directions, though there is a little play. Crown winds satisfactorily

Case - In good condition with no obvious sign of damage or repair. Cover opens and closes satisfactorily, and the hinges do not appear strained. Verso with some light scratches and scuffs as to be expected and commensurate with age and use.