Clock watch with leather case, engraved silver case and dial, the movement with alarm and verge escapement, Edward East, ca. 1645

V&A — Summary

Object Type This clock-watch strikes the hours and also has an alarm mechanism. The central hand on the dial is the alarm indicator. The small hand on the outside of the alarm disc shows the time. The back plate is signed 'Eduardus East Londini'. People Edward East (born 1602, died around 1697) was apprenticed to Richard Rogers of the Goldsmiths' Company in 1618. He became a Freeman in 1627. In 1632, against his will, he was made one of the first Assistants of the Clockmakers' Company, which had been founded in 1631. He was Master of the Company in 1645 and 1653. In 1660 he was appointed Chief Clockmaker to the King, Charles II (ruled 1660-1685). His business appears to have been on a large scale, and to have had Royalist and Roman Catholic connections. Edward East's will suggests that he was resident in Hampton, Middlesex, in 1688, but his business continued in London. His will was proved (its validity established) in February 1697. Designs & Designing The finely engraved naturalistic flowers are in the style of the prints published for the use of engravers and enamellers by Jacques Vauquer (1621-1686) in Paris and Blois (Loir-et-Cher) in France and Johann Paul Hauer (born 1629) in Germany.

V&A — Object history

Made by Edward East (born at Southill, Bedfordshire, 1602, died in London about 1697), later clockmaker to Charles II By family tradition given by the sister of Charles I, Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, to Gilbert Spencer of Redleaf when he was responsible for arrangements when she stayed at Penshurst in 1661.

V&A gallery label

British Galleries: Charles I was fascinated by mechanical instruments. He always kept a rigid personal routine, from his early rising when he donned his badge of St George, to winding his two watches, one silver, one gold, last thing at night. An alarm watch was ordered from East for the King shortly before his execution.