Typical late 18C, high quality, "London" flame mahogany case having breakarch top, side windows to hood, brass insert fluted hood columns with matching brass insert trunk quarter columns, long trunk door and typical "London" two step base, the lower, shaped.

12" breakarch brass dial with moonphases to arch, engraved moonphase "humps", recessed subsidiary seconds disc, finely matted dial centre, centre sweep date indicator, rococo spandrels and blued, cut steel hands.

Very high quality, 5 pillar , 8 day movement with well executed moondrive and centre sweep date mechanism. Pull hour repeat. Large, high quality, 4 spoke, weight pulleys, "double brass" pendulum bob to flat strip pendulum. Matched pair of brass bound weights.

William Gatford of Uxbridge is recorded "pre 1774." It is also recorded that he died in 1786 ( buried August 31st 1786 ) the business being continued for 2 years after his death by his widow, Hannah. William Gatford was a successful and influential figure in Uxbridge during his lifetime ( charity trustee etc. ) and is recognised as arguably it's best ever clockmaker with William Collett, a contemporary, and his son William Henry Collett ( recorded 1819 ) being his nearest rivals for that title.

A silver, verge watch by William Gatford hallmarked for 1759 is known. A very good, twin fusee, mahogany bracket clock with verge escapement and 3 subsidiary dials was offered at a suggested price of £12,000 - £14,000 in 1990. Also known - a red lacquer bracket clock and a fine "London" quality mahogany longcase.