Live
Apr 25, 10:00AM EDT

Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments

Auction ended

Featured Items

272 Results
Sort by
  • 17-inch Mahogany Octant
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500
    Lot 241

    17-inch Mahogany Octant

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
  • Carol Eduard Kraft 4-inch Expedition Surveyor's Sextant
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000
    Lot 242

    Carol Eduard Kraft 4-inch Expedition Surveyor's Sextant...

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000
  • W&S Jones Brass Pocket Sextant
    Estimate
    $200 - $400
    Lot 243

    W&S Jones Brass Pocket Sextant

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Brass Pocket Sextant by Cary and a Boxwood Gunter's or Gunner's Rule
    Estimate
    $500 - $700
    Lot 244

    Brass Pocket Sextant by Cary and a Boxwood Gunter's or ...

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • H. Hunt Pocket Sextant and a Thomas Jones Boxed Miniature Sextant
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 245

    H. Hunt Pocket Sextant and a Thomas Jones Boxed Miniatu...

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • J.D. Potter Anodized Brass Sextant
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 246

    J.D. Potter Anodized Brass Sextant

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • L. Casella 7-inch Brass Sextant
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 247

    L. Casella 7-inch Brass Sextant

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Richard Patten & Son Brass Surveyor's Compass
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 248

    Richard Patten & Son Brass Surveyor's Compass

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • B. Pike & Son Brass Surveyor's Compass
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 249

    B. Pike & Son Brass Surveyor's Compass

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • C. Plath 7-inch Sextant
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 250

    C. Plath 7-inch Sextant

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Surveyor's Theodolite by L. Casella with Burt's Patent Solar Attachment
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $4,000
    Lot 251

    Surveyor's Theodolite by L. Casella with Burt's Patent ...

    Est.
    $2,000 - $4,000
  • Charles C. Hutchinson 4-inch Refractor Telescope
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500
    Lot 252

    Charles C. Hutchinson 4-inch Refractor Telescope

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
  • Harrison & Co. 4-inch Refractor Telescope
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $3,000
    Lot 253

    Harrison & Co. 4-inch Refractor Telescope

    Est.
    $1,500 - $3,000
  • E.S. Ritchie U.S.S. Constellation   Ship's Binnacle
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 254

    E.S. Ritchie U.S.S. Constellation Ship's Binnacle

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • E.S. Ritchie & Sons Boxed Ship's Compass
    Estimate
    $500 - $700
    Lot 255

    E.S. Ritchie & Sons Boxed Ship's Compass

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Robert Merrill Gimbaled Compass
    Estimate
    $500 - $700
    Lot 256

    Robert Merrill Gimbaled Compass

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Two Boxed Artificial Horizons
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 257

    Two Boxed Artificial Horizons

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Cased "Tycos" Barometer and Compass Set
    Estimate
    $200 - $400
    Lot 258

    Cased "Tycos" Barometer and Compass Set

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Thos. Walker & Son Taffrail Log and "Cherub" Ship's Log
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 259

    Thos. Walker & Son Taffrail Log and "Cherub" Ship's Log...

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • George M. Phelps Weight-driven Register
    Estimate
    $500 - $700
    Lot 260

    George M. Phelps Weight-driven Register

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Edison Bipolar Electric Fan and Battery Box
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,500
    Lot 261

    Edison Bipolar Electric Fan and Battery Box

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,500
  • Thomas Wilfred's "Clavilux Junior,"
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000
    Lot 262

    Thomas Wilfred's "Clavilux Junior,"

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
  • Pierrot Serenading the Moon
    Estimate
    $40,000 - $60,000
    Lot 263

    Pierrot Serenading the Moon

    Est.
    $40,000 - $60,000
  • Fruit Seller Automaton
    Estimate
    $25,000 - $45,000
    Lot 264

    Fruit Seller Automaton

    Est.
    $25,000 - $45,000
  • Little Boy in Dunce's Cap Automaton
    Estimate
    $8,000 - $12,000
    Lot 265

    Little Boy in Dunce's Cap Automaton

    Est.
    $8,000 - $12,000
  • Magician Mechanical Picture
    Estimate
    $10,000 - $15,000
    Lot 266

    Magician Mechanical Picture

    Est.
    $10,000 - $15,000
  • "Mechanical Life Picture" Automaton of President Grover Cleveland
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Lot 267

    "Mechanical Life Picture" Automaton of President Grover...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Nicole Freres Six-tune Grand Format Overture Cylinder Musical Box
    Estimate
    $40,000 - $60,000
    Lot 268

    Nicole Freres Six-tune Grand Format Overture Cylinder M...

    Est.
    $40,000 - $60,000
  • Piccolo Twelve-air Cylinder Musical Box
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 269

    Piccolo Twelve-air Cylinder Musical Box

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Ten-air Swiss Musical Box
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 270

    Ten-air Swiss Musical Box

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Interchangeable Cylinder Musical Box
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $4,500
    Lot 271

    Interchangeable Cylinder Musical Box

    Est.
    $2,500 - $4,500
  • Polyphon 15-inch Disc Musical Box
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $4,000
    Lot 272

    Polyphon 15-inch Disc Musical Box

    Est.
    $2,000 - $4,000

Auction Description

Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments  by Bonhams Skinner
From fine American clocks to E. Howard precision regulators, European timekeepers, and musical clocks, the April Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments auction offers collectors a fine selection of mechanical masterpieces. The auction also features early navigational instruments and early 20th century automata.
 
Preview Times
 
April 22, 12PM–5PM
April 23, 12PM–7PM
April 24, 12PM–7PM
 
Contact Us
508-970-3201
clocks@skinnerinc.com
 

 

Read more
Bonhams Skinner
Marlborough, MA 01752
United States

bidsquare@bonhamsskinner.com

Phone:+1 6173505400

Buyer’s Premium

Start Premium (%)
$0 25.00

Bid Increments

Start Increments ($)
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$300,000 $25,000
$500,000 $50,000
$1,000,000 $100,000

Shipping Info

Please visit http://www.skinnerinc.com/services/payment-and-shipping/ for information regarding the collection of items purchased at auction. 

Read more

Terms & Conditions

1. Some of the lots in this sale are offered subject to a reserve. The reserve is a confidential minimum price agreed upon by the consignor and Skinner, Inc. below which the lot will not be sold. In most cases, the reserve will be set below the estimated range, but in no case will it exceed the estimates listed. A representative of Skinner, Inc. will execute such reserves by bidding for the consignor. In any event and whether or not a lot is subject to a reserve, the auctioneer may reject any bid or raise not commensurate with the value of such lot.

2. All property is sold “as is,” and neither the auctioneer nor any consignor makes any warranties or representation of any kind or nature with respect to the property, and in no event shall they be responsible for the correctness, nor deemed to have made any representation or warranty, of description, genuineness, authorship, attribution, provenance, period, culture, source, origin, or condition of the property and no statement made at the sale, or in the bill of sale, or invoice or elsewhere shall be deemed such a warranty of representation or an assumption of liability.

3. Except as provided in paragraph 1 above, the highest bidder as determined by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the case of a disputed bid, the auctioneer shall have sole discretion in determining the purchaser and may also, at his or her election, withdraw the lot or reoffer the lot for sale. The auctioneer shall have sole discretion to refuse any bid, or refuse to acknowledge any bidder. Any bidder that plans on spending in excess of $100,000 should make arrangements with the accounting department at least five (5) days in advance of the sale, as a deposit may be required to participate.

4. All merchandise purchased must be paid for and removed from the premises the day of the auction. Skinner Inc. may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly interest charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of any lot or item lot not paid for within thirty-five (35) days of the date of sale. Skinner, Inc. shall have no liability for any damage or loss to property left on its premises for more than three (3) days from the date of sale. If any property has not been removed within three (3) days from the date of sale, at the option of Skinner, Inc. (a) Skinner Inc., may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly storage charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of any lot or portion of a lot not removed within the three days, and/or (b) Skinner Inc. may place the merchandise in a subsequent auction, without Reserve, to be sold to the highest bidder, and after deducting the standard commission and any additional charges that may apply, remit the proceeds to the purchaser.

5. Skinner accepts cash or check for payment. Personal checks will be acceptable only if credit has been established with Skinner, Inc. or if a bank authorization has been received guaranteeing a personal check. Skinner, Inc. reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank. The purchaser agrees to pay Skinner, Inc. a handling charge of $25.00 for any check dishonored by the drawee. Please contact Accounting for additional payment methods. Skinner does not accept payment by credit card for merchandise purchases.

6. If the purchaser breaches any of its obligations under these Conditions of Sale, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price of all items for which it was the highest successful bidder, Skinner Inc. may exercise all of its rights and remedies under the law including, without limitation, (a) canceling the sale and applying any payments made by the purchaser to the damages caused by the purchaser’s breach, and/or (b) offering at public auction, without reserve, any lot or item for which the purchaser has breached any of its obligations, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price, holding the purchaser liable for any deficiency plus all costs of sale.

7. In no event will the liability of Skinner, Inc. to any purchaser with respect to any item exceed the purchase price actually paid by such purchaser for such item.

8. Shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser. Upon request, our staff will provide the list of shippers who deliver to destinations within the United States and overseas. Some property that is sold at auction can be subject to laws governing export from the U.S., such as items that include material from some endangered species. Import restrictions from foreign countries are subject to these same governing laws. Granting of licensing for import or export of goods from local authorities is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Denial or delay of licensing will not constitute cancellation or delay in payment for the total purchase price of these lots.

9. All purchases are subject to the Massachusetts 6.25% sales tax unless the purchaser possesses a Massachusetts sales tax exemption number. Exemption numbers from other states are accepted in Massachusetts if presented with a business card or letterhead. Dealers, museums, and other qualifying parties can apply for a Massachusetts exemption number prior to the auction by contacting the Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation at 100 Cambridge Street in Boston.

10. A premium equal to 23% of the final bid price up to and including $100,000, plus 20% of the final bid price from $100,001 up to and including $1,000,000, plus 12% of the final bid price from $1,000,001 and over will be applied to each lot sold, to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price.

11. Bidding on any item indicates your acceptance of these terms and all other terms printed within, posted, and announced at the time of sale whether bidding in person, through a representative, by phone, by Internet, or other absentee bid.

12. Skinner, Inc. and its consignors make no warranty or representation, express or implied, that the purchaser will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to any lot sold. Skinner, Inc. expressly reserves the right to reproduce any image of the lots sold in this catalog. The copyright in all images, illustrations and written material produced by or for Skinner, Inc. relating to a lot, including the contents of this catalog, is, and shall remain at all times, the property of Skinner, Inc. and shall not be used by the purchaser, nor by anyone else, without our prior written consent.

13. These conditions of sale shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding the laws applicable to conflicts or choice of law). The buyer/bidder agrees that any suit for the enforcement of this agreement may be brought, and any action against Skinner in connection with the transactions contemplated by this agreement shall be brought, in the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any federal court sitting therein. The bidder/buyer consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waives objections that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit.

Revised January 8, 2014