English gilt historically important astronomical watch Circa 1630

Gilt self striking gift watch from Charles II 
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A historically important, astronomical pendant watch made by Thomas Chamberlin in London, England, circa 1630. This piece was a gift from Charles the 2nd to Silva Evelyn. The round gilt case has a bell and is lavishly pierced and engraved. Its protective outer case is inscribed: This curious watch was a present from Charles 2nd to Silva Evelyn and from him has descended through the family of the Bisshopps to the present time. The dial shows Roman hour numerals, the day of the month, the moon’s age and phases of the moon, the stars as they pass and has blued steel hands. The movement has a very early verge escapement, vase pillars, no hairspring, a steel balance and a gut string, it requires winding up every 12 hours and strikes the hours on a bell.
The movement is signed.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Weight: 226 g
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Signed: T. Chamberlin
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According to tradition, this pocket watch was a gift from King Charles II to John Evelyn (Wotton, 1620-1706). Evelyn was a writer, architect and gardener, and was very popular at the court. The nickname Sylva or Silva is based on his most important work, “Sylva – A Discourse of Forest-Trees and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesties Dominions”.

His granddaughter, Elizabeth Evelyn, married Sir Simon Harcourt. According to family lore, the Earl of Rosebery gave this pocket watch to Sir William Harcourt in 1883, returning it to the Harcourt family.

An almost matching pocket watch by Thomas Chamberlin is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Extensive documentation exists on the watch, beginning with the original invoice from Sotheby’s 1993 when the Harcourt collection was auctioned, as well as correspondence with the Victoria Albert Museum regarding the sister watch with the same signature. The bulk of the documentation is an evaluation by Parmigiani in 2009, where this watch was extensively examined, documented and refurbished. The invoice was CHF 17.440.

The present piece is a historically significant and technically highly interesting, museum quality watch, which is almost impossible to acquire today. The few known examples are in important collections and museums.
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Chamberlin
Thomas Chamberlin (or Chamberlain), a British clock and watchmaker, was active from approximately 1630 until his death in 1663. He primarily worked in Chelmsford, Essex, rather than London and is noted for producing high quality mid 17^th century English watches, including a distinctive silver cased verge clock watch with date indication.